GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Today the Calvin women's basketball team finished up their showing at the Calvin/Hope Classic against the Duhawks of Loras.
 
After falling to Hope last night the Duhawks came out with a vengeance as they ran a fast-paced offense that put the Knights on their heels. Two quick three-pointers contributed to Loras' momentum as they started the game by going on a 16-2 run. Junior Anna Fernandez (Plymouth, Mich./Plymouth Christian Academy) scored a couple buckets while freshman Gabby Halliwill (Charlotte, Mich./Lansing Catholic) knocked down a three-pointer to make the score 16-8 at the end of the quarter.
 
In the second quarter, the Knights tightened things up on the defensive end as they forced the Duhawks to commit two shot clock violations. Fernandez also showed off her quickness as stole the ball and converted on fast break layups two possessions in a row. 
 
On the other end of the floor, Calvin started clicking as senior Allie Mayes (East Lansing, Mich./East Lansing) and sophomore Katelyn LaRue (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) scored her first points of the game. Sophomore Hannah Sall (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) and senior Valerie Dirkse (Vienna, Va./Marshall) each made some critical free throws as the Knights trail by only eight at the end of the half.
 
Determined to build on the momentum they had created, the Knights came out hot to start the third quarter. Fernandez continued to add to her point total as she drove through traffic to convert layups and knocked down free throws when she was sent to the line. With just under two minutes left in the third, Halliwill hit her second three-pointer of the quarter to bring the Knights within one. 
 
The Duhawks answered with two free throws before Halliwill stole the ball and sent it forward to LaRue who knocked down a three of her own. With one minute left in the quarter LaRue was fouled on her way to the basket and proceeded to bury the free throws to give Calvin their first lead of the game. 
 
In the fourth quarter, the game stayed close as both teams exchanged baskets and the lead. However, with three minutes left Fernandez nailed two free throws to give Calvin the lead. After that the Knights never looked back as they went on to pick up the 54-51 victory over the Duhawks.
 
Fernandez led the way with her career high in a Knights uniform with 23 points while LaRue recorded 12 points. Defensively, Calvin used their height to their advantage as Hannah Sall, Sophie Sensenig (Grayslake, Ill./Westlake Christian), and Dirkse each recorded two blocks a piece. 
 
The Knights finished the game with a 34.0 shooting percentage compared to Loras' 30.6 percentage while also dominating the pace of play with 16 fast break points.
 
COACHES COMMENTS: "We asked a lot of our players this week with our schedule," said head coach Mark Christner. "This was a great growth result for us versus a very gritty Loras team. We kept scrapping defensively and made one more play tonight." 
 
UP NEXT: The Knights will be back in action on Friday, November 22nd when they travel to Marietta to take on the Pioneers at 7PM.