GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Today the Calvin women's basketball team continued in MIAA play when it welcomed the Hornets of Kalamazoo to Van Noord Arena. Despite the slow start, the Knights came alive to dominate the Hornets as they moved to 8-7 overall and 4-2 in the MIAA while Kalamazoo fell to 5-9 overall and 0-5 in MIAA.
 
In the first quarter, both teams struggled to break through the opposing defense. Sophomore Lydia Sall (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) was the first Knight to get the lid off the basket when she converted on a layup through traffic before knocking down the free throw to complete the three-point play. Chloe Wiegers (Lake Orion, Mich./Lake Orion) and Sophie Sensenig (Grayslake, Ill./Westlake Christian) each had a bucket and Anna Fernandez (Plymouth, Mich./Plymouth Christian Academy) had a free throw to complete the Knights' scoring in the first quarter. However, Calvin held strong on the defensive end as it forced multiple shot clock violations and recorded five blocks.
 
Heading into the second quarter with a slim one-point lead, the Knights got the offensive boost they were looking for when sophomore Ashley Raredon (Caledonia, Mich./South Christian) entered the game and knocked down jumpers on back-to-back possessions. Hannah Sall (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) and Allie Mayes (East Lansing, Mich./East Lansing) each picked up their first points of the game to extend Calvin's lead to seven points, the largest of the game.
 
However, the Hornets refused to rollover as Kalamazoo proceeded to go on a scoring run of its own and quickly evened the score. With just under two minutes left in the half, Mayes located a wide-open Katelyn LaRue (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) who hit a three-pointer to swing the momentum back in the Knights direction. Freshman Jamie Custer (Galena, Ohio/Worthington Christian) made good on a pair of free throws before the final buzzer sounded as Calvin headed into halftime with a 22-17 lead.
 
As the third quarter got underway Calvin came out with vengeance as LaRue and Fernandez hit shots from downtown on back-to-back possessions. From that point on the Knights dominated the quarter as they outscored the Hornets 21-5. They held Kalamazoo to just a 7.7 shooting percentage and headed into the final ten minutes with a comfortable lead.
 
In the fourth quarter the Knights kept things rolling as they continued to score relentlessly and increase their lead. On defense, they continued to make things difficult for Kalamazoo as they picked up four steals and forced five turnovers. When the final horn blew, the Knights picked up the 60-35 victory.
 
Calvin dominated the paint as it outscored Kalamazoo 28-12 down low and scored 19 points off 28 Hornet turnovers. The Knights saw contributions from several different players in the scoring column with Fernandez and LaRue each recording thirteen points. Raredon finished her day with eight points and Lydia Sall chipped in seven. Senior Valerie Dirkse (Vienna, Va./Marshall HS) finished her day with a team-high eight rebounds. On defense, Calvin finished the game with nine team blocks, three of which came from Hannah Sall.
 
COACHES COMMENTS: "It was a good win today for us," said head coach Mark Christner. "Kalamazoo did a really nice job clogging up the lane and preventing the backdoor pass that we have liked to do a lot this year. We had to make some adjustments at halftime but I was really pleased with our second half and proud of the way that our group operated today."
 
UP NEXT: The Knights will be back in action on Wednesday, January 15 when they travel to take on the Brits of Albion at 7:30PM.