WHITEWATER, Wisconsin - Today the Calvin women's basketball team played its final game of 2024 when it traveled to take on the eighth-ranked Warhawks of Wisconsin-Whitewater. 
 
As the game got underway, junior Anna Fernandez (Plymouth, Mich./Plymouth Christian Academy) opened the scoring for the Knights when she knocked down a pair of free throws. The Warhawks had a quick answer with a three-pointer and a jumper at the other end before Fernandez picked up another basket to bring the Knights within one.
 
With five minutes left in the quarter Whitewater went on a bit of a run before Chloe Wiegers (Lake Orion, Mich./Lake Orion), Allie Mayes (East Lansing, Mich./East Lansing), and Katelyn LaRue (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) all got in on the scoring and Calvin finished the first quarter trailing 15-13.
 
In the second quarter both teams continued to trade baskets and battled to keep momentum on their side. Freshman Jamie Custer (Galena, Ohio/Worthington Christian) nailed a three-pointer while Lydia Sall (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) made her presence known down low. However, Calvin still struggled to slow down Whitewater on defense and went into halftime down 28-22.
 
As the second half got underway, the Knights started to dig themselves out of the hole as they got the ball rolling on offense. Sophomore Hannah Sall (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) got things started when she converted on a layup before senior Valerie Dirkse (Vienna, Va./Marshall) knocked down a pair of free throws to cut into the Warhawk lead. 
 
With just under two minutes left in the quarter, Mayes found Fernadez who knocked down a shot from beyond the arc to tie things up at 30-30. However, just before the end of the quarter, Whitewater answered with a three-pointer of its own to claim a slim three-point lead heading into the fourth.
 
In the final quarter of the game, the Knights continued to hang around, waiting for their moment to strike which came with just under three minutes left. LaRue got the ball in her hands at the top of the key and skillfully euro-stepped around two Warhawk defenders to get to the basket and tie the game at 40-40. Calvin locked in on defense and got a stop before finding Mayes down low to give the Knights their first lead since the first quarter. 
 
However, Whitewater quickly answered with two baskets of its own to reclaim the lead. With just twenty seconds left and down by three, the Knights got possession of the ball. Unfortunately, the Warhawks made a stand on defense and Calvin fell 46-43.
 
Fernandez led the way for the Knights with 15 points while LaRue chipped in 9 points. On defense, Hannah Sall recorded three blocks while Sophie Sensenig (Grayslake, Ill./Westlake Christian), Dirkse, and Lydia Sall each picked up one block.
 
COACHES COMMENT: "We have so much respect for Coach Carollo and the Whitewater program," said head coach Mark Christner. "These games help us grow and learn. They made one more shot today. Our efforts, our cohesion was strong coming out of break and now we get into MIAA with an important game Saturday. This is the toughest non-conference schedule we have played in the last six years; our growth was strong. Now we need to get back into rhythm and get after it in league play."
 
UP NEXT: The Knights will be back in action on Saturday as they continue MIAA play against rival Hope at Van Noord Arena at 3PM.