Fourth-Ranked Calvin Defeats Adrian 64-46 in Home Opener

By Sports Information Student Assistant Mark DeHaan

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Playing in its first home game of the season, the Calvin women's basketball team hosted the Adrian Bulldogs Saturday afternoon. Calvin recorded a 64-46 win to remain unbeaten on the season.

Calvin jumped out to an early 9-2 lead after a three-pointer by senior guard Courtney Kurncz just five minutes into the game. Adrian responded with a run of its own over the next five minutes, closing the deficit to 14-13. A few possessions later, Adrian's Senneca Scott would steal the ball and score a layup out on the fast break to give the Bulldogs the lead.

Adrian built up their its lead to as much as five before the Knights' Kelsey Irwin started to heat up. Calvin closed the gap to 19-16 on a Verkaik layup, then Irwin would strike. Irwin scored nine of the Knights' next 13 points, all on three-point field goals, to build Calvin's lead to 27-21.

Calvin extended its lead to 31-24 by halftime. The Knights were led by junior Carissa Verkaik in the first half, who had a double-double by halftime with 10 points and 11 rebounds, while Irwin added nine. The Bulldogs were led by junior Nicole Boggs who was 2-2 on three-point shooting and 2-3 from the free-throw line.

Coming out of the break, Calvin opened up the second half on a 15-2 run to take a 20 point lead. Verkaik was key in the run, scoring six points while senior Jill Thomas capped it off with a three-pointer.

Calvin enjoyed the double digit lead for the remainder of the game, emptying their (its) bench as every member of the varsity squad logged minutes. The Knights finished the game up eighteen points, earning the 64-46 victory.

Verkaik led the Knights on offense with 18 points and 14 rebounds, while Irwin finished with nine points and Kurncz added eight. Senneca Scott led the Bulldogs on offense with 12 points and seven rebounds while Boggs chipped in nine points and senior Jenn Headley added eight. Irwin had a trio of triples and in doing so, moved into sole possession of fourth place on the Calvin career three-point list with 93

"Kelsey was huge for us today, she's really had a nice year for us," said Head Coach John Ross. "If you're going to have a good season, you need contributions from a lot of different players on a lot of different nights. Slowly and surely, we're getting there."

Calvin moves to 7-0 on the year and 2-0 in conference with the win, while Adrian is now 1-4 and 0-2 in the MIAA.