Calvin also picked up its 16th straight win and hasn’t lost since December 1, when it dropped its only game of the season to Wheaton College. Calvin advances to 19-1 overall and has never lost a game to St. Mary’s College, a rivalry which dates back to the 1990-1991 season.
In a game with Saint Mary’s early this season the Knights let a half time lead slip away and escaped with a one point victory; this time on their home court, the Knights controlled the game from the start as Calvin never trailed.
Calvin pulled out to an early first half lead behind solid defense and Marcia Harris’s (Grand Rapids Christian) 11 points. The Knights held the Belles to 21 first half points and 29.2% from the field. The Knights also held MIAA scoring leader Alison Kessler to 7 first half points as they took a 34-21 lead into the locker room.
The Knights didn’t let down at all in the second half. A lay up by Sarah Partridge (East Lansing) put Calvin up by its largest margin, 30 points, of the game at the 11 minute mark. 3 minutes later, a three pointer by Marissa Walker (Cedar Springs) again matched that margin 58-28.
Harris led the Knights with 17 points, while Nikki Zimmerman who was 3 of 5 from behind the arc, totaled 11 points. Lisa Winkle finished two points shy of her 41st double- double finishing with 8 points, but led the team with 13 rebounds. In all 11 players scored for the Knights, who shot 42.9% from the field, below their 47.5% season average, which is second in the nation.
Calvin was 7 of 21 from behind the arc led by Zimmerman and Walker, who was 2 of 3. Coming off their season low of 9 turnovers, the Knights totaled only 12 turnovers on the game despite 7 in the first half.
Calvin will continue its busy week of three MIAA conference games in six days, when it travels to Angola, IN to take on Tri-State. The game is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Calvin will then face Hope College on Saturday with tip-off slated for 12:45 p.m. as part of Calvin’s Homecoming weekend.