GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Today the Calvin women's basketball team welcomed the Comets of The University of Olivet to Van Noord Arena where it picked up the 79-43 win in its final game of the regular season.
After today's game the Knights finished the regular season with a 18-7 overall record and a 12-4 MIAA record. Olivet rounded out their year with a 9-16 overall record with a 6-10 MIAA record.
Calvin set the tone early as it took a quick 17-8 lead in the first quarter. RyAnn Rohrer (Ludington, Mich./Ludington) and Hannah Sall (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) took control in the paint as they both had two baskets. Meanwhile, Katelyn LaRue (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) and Sophie Sensenig (Grayslake, Ill./Westlake Christian) established the outside shooting game for the Knights, both hitting threes in the first quarter.
In the second quarter, the Knights dug in on defense and didn't allow Olivet to score its first basket until the quarter was halfway over. On the offensive end, Sall and Sensenig put the team on their backs as they continued to knock down shots. Sall racked up nine points working down low while Sensenig hit her second three-pointer of the night as well as several jumpers to give the Knights the 35-16 lead at the half.
As the second half got underway the Knights continued to score at will as sophomore duo Anna Fernandez (Plymouth, Mich./Plymouth Christian Academy) and Lauren Vanderstelt (Plainwell, Mich./Plainwell) started to heat up. Down low, Rohrer continued to cause problems for the Comet defense while freshman Lydia Sall (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) notched her first points of the game. With two minutes left in the third quarter LaRue her second three-pointer of the night and by the end of the period the Knights had a comfortable 61-27 lead.
In the fourth quarter, Calvin kept its foot on the gas with junior Grace Rosser (Allendale, Mich./Allendale) hitting a three followed by Ashley Raredon (Caledonia, Mich./South Christian) knocking down a jumper on the next possession. The Knights were able to get every player on the roster into the game and by the end of the game, Calvin walked away with the 79-43 victory.
The Knights finished the game with a 37.1 shooting percentage while holding Olivet to a 30.2 shooting percentage. Calvin out rebounded the Comets 52-37 with an impressive 18 rebounds coming on the offensive end. On defense, the Knights caused problems for Olivet as they forced 23 turnovers and turned those turnovers into 26 points. Furthermore, Calvin's bench continues to make a big impact on the court as it was responsible for 48 points today.
Hannah Sall ended the night as Calvin's leading scorer with 15 points while Sensenig was close behind with 14 points and LaRue finished with 13 points.
COACHES COMMENT: "I think that I have seen a lot of growth from our team this year," said head coach Mark Christner. "Saw a lot of great things from them today and we will be ready to get back after it in practice on Monday. Clinching the number two seed in the tournament is a big accomplishment and we're excited for what lies ahead. Our season's not over."
UP NEXT: The Knights will be back in action on Friday, February 23rd when they compete in the MIAA Tournament at Hope. Calvin will be the number two seed and will await the results of first round games, which will be played on Tuesday, to find out their opponent.
