Calvin University

HOLLAND, Mich. - Today the Calvin women's basketball team rounded out their appearance at the Calvin/Hope when they defeated the Tigers of Wittenberg 50-42 and improved to 2-2 on the season.
 
Senior duo RyAnn Rohrer (Ludington, Mich./Ludington) and Katelyn LaRue (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) put up early points for the Knights as they outscored the Tigers 12-11 in the first quarter. 
 
Freshman Izzy Wotlinski (Lake Orion, Mich./Lake Orion) started the second quarter in style when she drained a three-pointer before LaRue stayed hot and drained a three-pointer of her own, her second of the game. Defensively, the Knights found their footing and nabbed five steals while senior Chloe Wiegers (Lake Orion, Mich./Lake Orion) and sophomore Lily Nitz (Caldeonia, Mich./South Christian) each tacked on two points to give Calvin the slim 22-20 advantage heading into halftime.
 
Looking to claw back, the Tigers turned up their offensive intensity and at the end of the third quarter the score was tied at 34-34. It was a slow start in the fourth quarter for both sides as the first basket wasn't recorded until the seven-minute mark. One free throw from Lydia Sall (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) and two from LaRue gave the Knights the lead, however, a three pointer from the Tigers at the other end once again tied the score.
 
With just under five minutes left to play Calvin found senior Hannah Sall (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) down low who converted on a clutch bucket. That play seemed to be the spark the Knights were looking for as they went on to outscore Wittenberg 11-5 down the stretch and eventually walked away with the 50-42 victory.
 
Calvin outrebounded the Tigers 49-45 while also forcing Wittenberg into making 19 turnovers. LaRue was named to the Calvin/Hope Classic All-Tournament team and led the way for Calvin with fourteen points and two steals. Junior Gabby Halliwill (Charlotte, Mich./Lansing Catholic) finished with eight points while Rohrer and Nitz each snagged six rebounds.
 
COACHES COMMENTS: "Excellent response for us vs a very organized Wittenberg group," said head coach Mark Christner. "We have so much room to improve so we'll get back to work Monday in preparation for a big weekend in Wisconsin."
 
UP NEXT: The Knights will be back in action on Friday, November 20th when they travel to Platteville, Wisconsin to take on UW-Platteville at 7:30 PM (CT).