GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Today the Calvin women's basketball team welcomed the Muskies from Lakeland University to Van Noord Arena for a non-conference matchup. 
 
As the game got underway both teams struggled to get things rolling offensively. The first two minutes went by scoreless before senior Valerie Dirkse (Vienna, Va./Marshall) knocked down a pair of free throws. A few minutes later sophomore Lydia Sall (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) made her presence known down low as she scored on three straight possessions to give the Knights some momentum. Freshman Gabby Halliwill (Charlotte, Mich./Lansing Catholic) and sophomore Katelyn LaRue (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) both hit three-pointers before the quarter ended to give Calvin the 16-10 lead.
 
In the second quarter the Knights really got into their rhythm, and they began to score at will. Freshman Jamie Custer (Galena, Ohio/Worthington Christian) and LaRue converted from behind the arc on back-to-back possessions before Anna Fernandez (Plymouth, Mich./Plymouth Christian Academy) knocked down a three-pointer of her own. Senior Sophie Sensenig (Grayslake, Ill./Westlake Christian) also got in on the scoring action as she muscled through for layups and hit one from downtown to join the three-point party. 
 
On defense, the Knights used their height to their advantage as Dirkse, Hannah Sall (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian), and Lydia Sall all recorded blocks. When the half came to an end, Calvin sat comfortably with a 46-25 lead over the Muskies. In the second quarter, the Knights recorded an impressive 71.4 three-point percentage while holding Lakeland to only a 44.4 shooting percentage.
 
In the second half, Dirkse and Hannah Sall continued to dominate down low while sophomore Chloe Wiegers (Lake Orion, Mich./Lake Orion) became a threat from the mid-range. In the fourth quarter, Custer showed off her shooting skills as she hit a three-pointer from the corner in back-to-back possessions to boost the Calvin lead. 
 
When the final whistle blew the Knights improved their record to 6-5 after posting a dominant 77-46 victory. Calvin outscored Lakeland in the paint 38-18 while also finishing the game with a 43.5 three-point percentage. The Knights also set a new team record for blocks in a game with eighteen and Hannah Sall recorded a new career high with eight blocks. Dirkse chipped in four blocks and LaRue recorded three.
 
LaRue finished the night as Calvin's leading scorer with sixteen points while Custer was close behind with eleven. Sensenig and Hannah Sall each finished with nine points while Dirkse, Fernandez, and Lydia Sall all contributed eight points.
 
COACHES COMMENTS: "Really grateful to coach our team," said head coach Mark Christner. "The growth from our opening weekend to now has been immense, We have played a Top 20 schedule according to Massey. Solid win for us. Merry Christmas Knight Nation!"
 
UP NEXT: The Knights will be back in action on December, 30th when they travel to Wisconsin to take on UW-Whitewater at 1PM (CT).