CALVIN SPORTS REPORT FOR WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2003
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
ALMA * Thanks to an impressive 75-56 conference victory at MIAA rival Alma College, the Calvin women's basketball team will head into 2004 with a five-game win streak. The double-digit win at Alma's Cappaert Gymnasium allowed the Knights to improve to 7-3 overall and to 2-1 in the MIAA. The win was also Calvin's first over an opponent with a winning record this year. In addition, the victory was just the second for Calvin against Alma in the last seven meetings between the two conference rivals.
Despite having little success with the Scots over the previous three years, the Knights took control from the outset Wednesday afternoon, racing out to a 12-4 lead and then using a 9-0 run late in the first half to build a 34-21 halftime advantage.
Alma (6-4 overall, 1-1 MIAA) opened the second half with a 10-3 run to creep to within six points at 37-31 and then trailed by six again at 42-36 on a three-pointer by junior Michelle Dettling with 15:50 left to play. Calvin responded with a quick 7-0 spurt capped off by a three-pointer from senior Kim Wolthuis (South Christian HS) that allowed the Knights to build a 49-36 lead. Calvin would maintain a double-digit lead the rest of the way to cruise to the win.
The contest was a showcase for a pair of Grand Rapids West Catholic High School graduates as Calvin junior Kristen McDonald and Alma senior Karen Hall led their respective teams in scoring. A 2001 graduate of West Catholic, McDonald led all scorers with a career-high 28 points on the strength of five three-point field goals and 7 of 8 free throw shooting. A 2000 graduate of West Catholic, Hall led the Scots with 20 points as she matched MIAA single-game records for free throw percentage and free throws made in connecting on all 16 of her attempts at the charity stripe. The MIAA's leading scorer heading into Wednesday's game, Hall was forced to work hard for every point as she was constantly double-teamed and was just 2 of 11 from the field.
Calvin's post players combined for seven blocked shots in the win with freshman Lisa Winkle (South Christian HS) leading the way with three blocks and a career-high 15 points. Wolthuis also added nine points with sophomore point guard Katherine Pettinga (South Christian HS) chipping in with eight points and seven assists against just two turnovers.
In addition to Hall's 20-point effort, Alma received 16 points from Dettling and 13 points from sophomore guard Katey Peacock.
Calvin finished the game with a sizzling 52.8 percent field goal shooting clip including 47.4 percent (9 of 19) from beyond the arc. On defense, the Knights held Alma to just 37.2 percent field goal shooting and forced the Scots into 22 turnovers. Calvin also held a 29-16 rebounding edge.
Calvin returns to action on Saturday when it travels to future MIAA member Tri-State for a non-conference game scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m.
Jeff Febus
Sports Information Director
Calvin College
(616) 526-6169 Office
(616) 526-8551 Fax
Received on Wed Dec 31 17:25:22 2003
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