ANGOLA, Ind. - Today the Calvin women's basketball team traveled to Trine University where it took down the Thunder in an MIAA showdown. Coming into the game the two teams were tied for second in the league but with the 63-51 victory the Knights claimed sole possession of second place with the win.

After today's game the Knights improved to a 14-5 overall record and a 8-2 MIAA record while Trine fell to 13-6 overall and 7-3 in MIAA.

Sophomore RyAnn Rohrer (Ludington, Mich./Ludington) set the tone early as she got fouled while making a layup and sinking the free throw to get the Knights first points of the game. On the next possession sophomore Sami DeKuiper (Rockford, Mich./Rockford) knocked down a three-pointer from the top of the key to give Calvin the momentum, something that they took major advantage of as they ended the first quarter leading 21-4.

As the second quarter got underway the Thunder found their stride as they began to work their way out of the hole. Trine went on a 12-0 run to start the quarter and by the time the buzzer sounded for halftime the Knights lead had been reduced to just 5 points.

In the first half Calvin put up a 40 percentage shooting percentage while holding the Thunder to just a 23.3 shooting percentage. Rohrer led the way for the Knights with 8 points while freshman duo Hannah Sall (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) and Chloe Wiegers (Lake Orion, Mich./Lake Orion) each had 5 points. 

In the third quarter the Knights once again began to stretch their lead. Six minutes into the half sophomore Anna Fernandez (Plymouth, Mich./Plymouth Academy) knocked down a three-pointer before Lauren Vanderstelt (Plainwell, Mich./Plainwell) scored on back-to-back possessions. Calvin also dug in on defense as it held Thunder to a 23.08 shooting percentage and headed into the fourth quarter with a 47-38 lead.

In the final ten minutes both teams battled as they looked to get momentum as time ticked off the clock. With four minutes left Trine had cut the lead down to three points, the closest they had been since the first two minutes of the game. However, when the Knights brought the ball up the floor on offense Katelyn LaRue (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) found Wiegers on the baseline where she knocked down her second three-pointer of the night to once again give the Knights some breathing room. 

Calvin continued to score consistently by knocking down free throws and with a minute-and-a-half to go LaRue sank a three-pointer of her own to extend the lead to nine. The final nail in the coffin came with just forty seconds left when Fernandez got fouled when making a layup and then converted the free throw. Ten seconds later Valerie Dirkse (Vienna, Va./Marshall) knocked down a set of free throws to give the Knights the 63-51 victory.

In a game where free throws were a big factor Calvin finished with a 81.8 free throw percentage, going 18-22. They outscored the Thunder in the paint 24-22 while the bench once again provided a significant boost with 27 points.

Rohrer finished as the leading scorer for the Knights with 13 points and Fernandez finished with 10 points and 3 assists. Sall capped her night with 9 points and 3 blocks while Wiegers and Vanderstelt each had 8 points. 

Tonight's win snapped a nineteen game losing streak to the Thunder as it marked the first time Calvin women's basketball has beaten Trine since January, 6th 2016. It is also the first road win against Trine since 2015.

COACHES COMMENT: "This team has demonstrated a resilience and love for each other that is special," said head coach Mark Christner. "It's always about our players and the work they put in. Our assistants are phenomenal humans allowing our players to be the best version of ourselves. Belief is a powerful thing. We'd love a loud Van Noord Arena on Saturday! Go Knights!"

UP NEXT: The Knight will be back in action when they welcome rival Hope College, who currently sits in first place in MIAA standings. Tip off is set for 3 P.M. in Van Noord Arena.