HOLLAND, Mich.- Tonight the 17th ranked Calvin women's basketball traveled to Hope to battle the Flying Dutch and ultimately fell 71-59.
Coming into the night both Calvin (18-4, 10-3 MIAA) and Hope (20-2, 10-2 MIAA) were part of a three-way tie for first place in the MIAA along with Trine. The game started fast as Calvin and Hope both moved the ball quickly and looks for fast break opportunities. However, despite the Knights shooting 46.7% with senior Sydney Cleary (Middleville, Mich./South Christian) leading the way with 8 points, Hope led 24-18 after the first ten minutes.
The Knights looked to bounce back as less than two minutes into the second quarter senior Gabby Timmer (Caledonia, Mich./South Christian) made a big 3-pointer for her first points of the game. Timmer finished the half with 9 points and the Knights went into the half down by nine.
The Knights continued to fight into the second half as they tried to lock in on defense. Calvin fought to within four points late in the third quarter at 43-39 but a 9-4 Hope run to end the quarter put the Flying Dutch up by double digits. In the end, Calvin's efforts were not enough despite holding Hope to a 26.3% shooting percentage in the third quarter and tallying 13 blocks on the night.
Timmer recorded her 51st career double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Senior Sara Nealy (Highlands Ranch, Colo./Valor Christian) finished the night with 14 points while Cleary finished with 13 points.
COACHES COMMENTS: "Definitely a tough game," said head coach Mark Christner in the post game press conference. "Got to give them credit for some big plays. But I loved the way we played and how we really competed. Our senior did a lot to keep us in it and it was a very competitive game fitting on the rivalry."
UP NEXT: The Knights will be back on the court on Saturday, Feb. 11th when they welcome Trine to Van Noord Arena. Tip-off is set for 1PM.
