GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Tonight the Calvin women's basketball team notched another victory when it completed a big come-from-behind 58-57 win over the Brits of Albion.

After tonight's game the Knights improved to a 11-5 overall record with a 5-2 MIAA record while the Brits fell to a 9-7 overall record and a 3-4 MIAA record. Calvin also now owns a six-game win streak, its longest of the season.

The Knights went to work early as they challenged the Brits early by playing fast-paced basketball. After every defensive rebound, the Knights pushed the ball to convert several fast break layups to start the game. Halfway through the quarter both teams settled in and traded baskets. The Knights finished the quarter trailing 22-14 with sophomore RyAnn Rohrer (Ludington, Mich./Ludington) leading the way for Calvin with eight points.

The second quarter got out to a slow start as both teams struggled to get the lid off of the basket. The Knights picked up some momentum with six minutes left in the half when Valerie Dirkse (Vienna, Va./Marshall) drew a double team before kicking it to a wide open Katelyn LaRue (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) who nailed a baseline three-pointer. Shortly after, Hannah Sall (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) powered through a double team two possessions in a row to give the Knights another push. The Knights continued to chip away at Albion and as time ran down on the clock junior Allie Mayes (East Lansing, Mich./Plainwell) pushed through the lane to convert on a layup to cut the lead down to two points at the half.

In the first half Calvin held the Brits to a 36.4 shooting percentage while posting a 41.4 shooting percentage of their own. On defense, the Knights recorded seven steals and three blocks.

The Knights started the second half with a few players in foul trouble as Rohrer and Dirkse both had three fouls in the first half. With Calvin having to play a bit more conservative Albion took advantage as they outscored the Knights 17-10.  

As the fourth quarter got underway Calvin looked to dig its way out of the hole. Two minutes into the quarter, sophomore Sami DeKuiper (Rockford, Mich./Rockford) caught the ball on the right wing where she hit a three-pointer to bring the Knights within ten points. Two possessions later she hit another from the left wing to give Calvin a much needed boost of energy. On defense, Calvin dug in and forced the Brits to make error after error. After forcing Albion to make yet another turnover Dirkse got the ball on the block where she was fouled on a layup and went on to make the free throw to complete the three-point play.

With under four minutes to play LaRue barreled into the lane where she not only made the basket but also drew a foul. After LaRue sunk her free throw Albion's lead was cut to just one point, the lowest it had been since they claimed the lead in the first quarter. On the next offensive possession Mayes drove into the lane, converted a shot in the paint and the Knights took a 56-55 lead. 

With fifteen seconds left on the clock Calvin still held a one point lead. Out of a timeout, the Brits inbounded the ball as the Knights swarmed on defense. Unable to get a clear look, Albion threw up a desperation three that was rebounded by Rohrer as the final buzzer went off. The Knight finished the game with an 18-8 scoring run as they walked away with the 58-57 victory.

Rohrer finished the night as the game's leading scorer with 14 points while LaRue finished with 12 points. Mayes chipped in 10 points during the game while DeKuiper ended the night with 8 points.

COACHES COMMENTS: "Our group has really grown this year," said head coach Mark Christner. "We continued to plug away and we didn't get discouraged by our play or being in foul trouble. We had some great contributions from many players and what a great defensive performance in that fourth quarter. A very impressive win from our group as we have great respect for Albion and we have had some very close games against them over the years."

UP NEXT: The Knights will be back in action on Saturday, January 13th when they travel to face the Comets of Olivet at 1 P.M.