GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Today the Calvin women's basketball team continued its MIAA schedule when it welcomed the Comets of Olivet to Van Noord Arena. The Knights got out to a quick start and never looked back as they picked up their fourth consecutive victory to move to 10-7 overall and 6-2 in MIAA play.
 
In the first quarter Calvin set the tone early as it looked to run a fast-paced offense while playing relentless defense. Junior guard Anna Fernandez (Plymouth, Mich./Plymouth Christian Academy) got out to a hot start as she knocked down two jumpers while Lydia Sall (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) and Sophie Sensenig (Grayslake, Ill./Westlake Christian) took advantage of their height and converted down low. 
 
The Knights dominated the boards in the first quarter as they out rebounded the Comets 22-13 with 12 of them coming on the offensive side of the floor. Just before the first quarter ended Gabby Halliwill (Charlotte, Mich./Lansing Catholic) and Katelyn LaRue (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) each drained shots from behind the arc to give Calvin the 16-7 lead.
 
Calvin kept the momentum on its side in the second quarter when LaRue and Fernandez combined for back-to-back three-pointers. Later in the quarter Sensenig drained a three-pointer of her own while the Knights posted a 42.9 three-point percentage in the second quarter.
 
With a ten point lead the Calvin kept the three-point party alive in the second half as Fernandez and Halliwill each hit their second of the game. Senior Valerie Dirkse (Vienna, Va./Marshall), who had collected an impressive 14 rebounds up to this point, picked up her first points of the game with a bucket down low before adding a pair of free throws to extend the Calvin lead. 
 
In the fourth quarter the Knights continued to score at will with Fernandez continuing to lead the charge. When the final buzzer went off the Knights picked up the 73-49 victory with Fernandez finishing with 23 points. Halliwill finished close behind with a career-high 17 points while LaRue recorded 11 points.
 
Dirkse finished her game with 15 rebounds, 4 points and three assists. Her 15 rebounds matched a career high. On defense, the Knights finished with five blocks and scored 29 points off of 20 Comet turnovers.
 
COACHES COMMENT: "I thought we did a lot of really good things today," said head coach Mark Christner. "I thought we got to glass well, we didn't turn it over, and the ball movement has been really good. We got good shots from people who were running the floor hard. I think our defense improved in the second half and we forced them to do something things faster than what they were comfortable with. Due to some injuries we've had some young players step up this season and I have been very pleased with how they have developed and contributed so far."
 
UP NEXT: The Knights will be back in action on Saturday, January 25th when they travel to South Bend, Ind. to take on St. Mary's at 1PM.