GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Today the Calvin women's basketball team recorded a resume boosting win as it took down No. 9 ranked Wisconsin-Whitewater with a score of 61-53. Consistent stops on defense and big stops down the stretch allows Calvin to improve to a 3-3 overall record heading into conference play next week.
 
In the first quarter the Knights quickly established themselves on defense as they forced the Warhawks into taking difficult shots late in the shot clock while also causing several shot clock violations. Calvin held Whitewater to just a fifteen percent shooting percentage in the first quarter, their lowest of the game. Within the first ten minutes Calvin recorded eight blocks with junior Hannah Sall (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) taking credit for five. On the other end of the floor, the Knights shot fifty percent from the field with multiple players chipping in on scoring as Calvin ended the quarter with a 15-9 lead.
 
The Warhawks looked to bounce back as they were able to match Calvin offensively with both teams scoring twelve points apiece in the second quarter. At the half Whitewater had outrebound the Knights 23-19 while the Knights had the advantage down low with 18 points in the paint compared to the Warhawks 12.
 
As the third quarter got underway the Knights were given a boost from junior RyAnn Rohrer (Ludington, Mich./Ludington) as she knocked down several jumpers from fifteen-foot range. As play progressed, Whitewater refused to back down and went on to outscore the Knights 15-12 and cut the Calvin lead to just three points.
 
The Knights started the action heavy fourth quarter with a bang as Hannah Sall converted a layup through contact and nailed the free throw after. On the next possession, Lydia Sall (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) found Rohrer down low for a bucket to keep things rolling for the Knights. However, the full court press that the Warhawks had been enforcing all game was finally starting to pay off. After forcing multiple turnovers from the Knights, Whitewater went on a 10-0 scoring run and took their first lead of the game with just under seven minutes left. 
 
Now, with Whitewater holding a slim four-point lead, the Knights looked to find their rhythm on offensive and end their scoring drought. With five minutes left to play they got the spark they were looking for when senior Anna Fernandez (Plymouth, Mich./Plymouth Christian Academy) barreled through the lane and finished through contact. She nailed her shot from the charity stripe to complete the three-point play and just like that the Knights only trailed by one.
 
On the other end of the floor, a quick steal from Rohrer allowed the Knights to push the ball to sophomore Jamie Custer (Galena, Ohio/Worthington Christian) who nailed a huge transition three to put Calvin back in the driver's seat. Calvin kept up their intensity on both ends of the floor as Fernandez recorded two straight buckets and a steal while junior Chloe Wiegers (Lake Orion, Mich./Lake Orion) knocked down a timely shot from behind the arc to stretch the Calvin lead to six with two minutes left to play.
 
After forcing Whitewater to make another shot clock violation turnover, their third of the day, two free throws from junior Katelyn LaRue (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) put the game on ice and Calvin went on to pick up the 61-53 victory.
 
Rohrer led the way for the Knights with fourteen points while Hannah Sall finished with thirteen points, nine rebounds and a career high nine blocks. Fernandez notched eleven points and four assists while Lydia Sall also chipped in four assists and six points.
 
COACHES COMMENTS: "I have a high regard and respect for Whitewater," said head coach Mark Christner. "They played so hard and they made that little push in the fourth quarter but I think our group responded well. These tight games help us as we think about and work towards what we want to achieve as a team going forward. I thought we played really well the whole game and I'm happy for our group and the outcome today, they deserved it."
 
UP NEXT: The Knights will be back in action on Wednesday, December 3rd when they open up MIAA play on the road against Saint Mary's. Tip-off is set for 2 PM.