CALVIN KNIGHT SPORTS REPORT FOR FEBRUARY 25, 2015
Women's Basketball Claims 88-54 Win Over Olivet in MIAA Tournament Semifinals - Will Host Hope in MIAA Final Saturday Afternoon
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Calvin 88, Olivet 54
By Mark DeHaan
The Calvin women's basketball team hosted an MIAA Tournament semi-final on Wednesday evening as the league's top seed. The Knights faced the four seed, the Comets of Olivet College.
Using a torrid three-point attack, Calvin recorded an 88-54 victory to advance to the MIAA Tournament finals for the sixth consecutive year. Calvin will face rival Hope in the MIAA Tournament final Saturday at 3 p.m. with the winner receiving an automatic bid to the NCAA III Tournament. Saturday's contest will also mark the sixth consecutive year the two rivals will meet in the MIAA Tournament final as well as the 10th time overall.
Hope defeated Kalamazoo 62-48 in the other semifinal game Wednesday night.
In its victory over Olivet Wednesday night, Calvin used a 20-4 first half surge to take control of the game.
The Comets did not come within single-digits the remainder of the contest as the Knights cruised to the win.
Olivet took a 4-0 lead out of the gate, forcing Calvin into a few early turnovers and some tough shots.
The Knights were able to take the lead, and with 13:12 to go, held a lead at 9-6 but were well-below their typical offensive output.
Over the next six minutes, a 21-6 run saw the Knights boost their lead to 30-12.
Calvin then took a 57-21 lead at halftime. Junior Tiffany Karger (Cedar Springs/Cedar Springs HS) led all scorers with 12 points at the break on 4-for-4 shooting from three-point range. Senior Hannah Acre (DeWitt/DeWitt HS) added 11 points. Calvin's first half scoring output established a new MIAA Tournament record for most points by a team in the first half.
In the second half, the Knights cruised, holding off the Comets as head coach John Ross saw contributions from every member of his squad.
Calvin shot an impressive 60.4%, including 15-of-26 for 57.7% from three-point range. Olivet was held to 34.4% shooting. The Comets out-rebounded the Knights 38-35. Calvin's 15 three-pointers matched an MIAA Tournament single-game record originally set by Trine in a 2005 game against Alma.
Acre finished with 16 points, also leading Calvin with seven rebounds. Karger ended with 12, while senior Breanna Verkaik (Holland/Holland Christian HS) scored nine.
For Olivet, Carli Reid scored 13 points while Stefanie Lang added 12 points and 10 rebounds.
"Our first four or five possessions we turned the ball over three or four times and we didn't get a good look, they defended us really well," said head coach John Ross. "We were happy with how hard we played, it was nice to get a lead where we could rest our players, and yet get our bench nearly ten minutes each tonight."
Calvin improved to 26-0 overall with the win, ending Olivet's season at 14-12 overall.
MIAA TOURNAMENT FINALS TICKET INFORMATION
Saturday, February 28 Game at Calvin, 3:00pm: Doors open at 2:00pm
Championship Game - Hope at Calvin.
General Admission tickets for Saturday's game will also be available at Calvin's website (www.calvin.edu/boxoffice<http://www.calvin.edu/boxoffice>), and at the Box Office Thursday and Friday, February 26 and 27 from 9:00am to 5:00pm. Tickets will also be sold at the Arena starting at 1:00pm on Saturday. All tickets will be General Admission.
TICKET PRICES: General Admission tickets are FREE for MIAA students with student ID. They are $5.00 for any college faculty/staff and students, High School students and children, and $7.00 for all others. There is no limit on the number of tickets to be purchased.
Received on Wed Feb 25 23:34:43 2015
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