GRAND RAPIDS - The 22nd-ranked Calvin University women's basketball team won its first round game of the MIAA Tournament by the score of 70-47 over sixth-seeded Adrian College on Tuesday at Van Noord Arena.

The story for Calvin (21-5) was its size and length inside as the Knights's defense blocked 10 shots and out-scored the Bulldogs 38-18 in the paint for the game.

That size advantage was evident from the start as Calvin scored 16 points in the paint in the first quarter to build a 20-6 lead. While the Knights were scoring the paint on offense, the Calvin defense held Adrian (10-16) to just 2-15 shooting (13.3) percent in the opening 10 minutes. 

Adrian was able to cut into the deficit in the second quarter and trailed 33-23 at the half, but the Knights continued to dominate the game inside in the second half as they pushed the lead to 17 points after three quarters and eventually over 20 points in the fourth quarter on the way to the win.

Defense was a constant for the Knights throughout the game as they held the Bulldogs to 30.9 percent shooting overall and forced 25 turnovers, which turned into 22 points for Calvin on the other end.

Gabby Timmer (Caldeonia, Mich./South Christian) led all players with 14 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for her 54th career double-double. She also led the team with five assists and recorded four blocks.

Alyssa Karner (Holland, Mich./West Ottawa) added 11 points (all in the second half) off the bench, while Valerie Dirkse (Vienna, Va./Marshall) came up big on the defensive end with 11 rebounds, four blocks and three steals. 

COACH'S COMMENT: "Excellent performance for us tonight," Calvin head women's basketball coach Mark Christner said. "These games can be challenging mentally. I thought we did a good job of maintaining poise. It was fun to see a few of our young players really step up in the second half. And it's fun to get back to the semi-finals against a great Trine team."

NEXT UP: The Calvin women's basketball team advances to the semi-final round of the MIAA Tournament, where it will play second-seed Trine University on Friday (February 24). The game will be played at Hope College (the tournament's top seed) and will tip off at 5:30 PM.