Belles Upended by Knights
Saint Mary's Stories
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Saint Mary's basketball team ended on the wrong side of an 87-54 final at Calvin on Wednesday night in conference action.
The Knights had established a nine-point lead five minutes into the game by going ahead 14-5. Ariana Paul and Shanlynn Bias gave the Belles back-to-back good baskets to make it a 14-9 with 13:29 on the clock in the first period of play. After Calvin countered with two good buckets, Kristen Kleist knocked down a three-pointer to keep Saint Mary's within striking distance at 18-12.
Krista Knapke sunk a layup on the Belles' next possession to make it a 20-14 game in favor of the host Knights. Calvin, however, went on to outscore the Belles by a 32-8 margin over the final ten-and-a-half minutes of the first period, including a 14-0 run, to take command of the game and lead 52-22 at the break.
Despite Calvin maintaining a sizable lead throughout the second half, the Belles matched the Knights step-for-step over the final 20 minutes of play. Calvin held just a three-point edge in scoring (35-32) in the second period over Saint Mary's.
Krista Knapke had 11 points and five rebounds to lead the Belles. Shanlynn Bias added 10 points and five assists. Ariana Paul also chipped in ten points to go along with three steals.
The Belles (6-14, 4-7 MIAA) return to Angela Athletic Facility on Saturday, February 8 to host Kalamazoo for a 3:00 p.m. contest. It will also be the team's annual Pink Game with all donations and proceeds going to the Angel Wings Foundation.