As the current league leader Calvin defended its place atop the MIAA standings Saturday night with a 75-40 victory over the Kalamazoo Hornets Saturday night at Calvin's Van Noord Arena.  Sophomore post Carissa Verkaik led the Knights with 16 points and 8 rebounds.  Sophomore Julia Hilbrands also chipped in 12 points while grabbing 5 boards.

Calvin boasted a powerful inside game Saturday night as the Knights outscored the Hornets in the paint 50-10.  Kalamazoo not being able to stop the Knights inside also allowed the perimeter shooters to have a number of looks as Calvin shot 36.4 percent from outside on 4 of 11 shooting.

The Knights shot a blistering 53.6 percent from the rest of the floor and they also out-rebounded the Hornets 41-26.  Calvin also advantages in steals at 12-10 and in assists as it dished out 21 to Kalamazoo's 9.

A strong start in the first half gave the Knights all the cushion they could ask for and more as Calvin rolled to an early lead and an eventual 43-15 advantage at the break. Verkaik poured in 12 of her points in the first frame as well as grabbing 7 rebounds.  Jill Thomas (Grand Rapids, MI), Leah Mattson and Ally Wolffis all added 5 points apiece in the half.

With the 28 point lead going into the second half, Calvin stayed strong and closed the game out by the final score of 75-40.  With the win, the Knights move to 17-3 overall and a still undefeated 11-0 in the MIAA.  Kalamazoo drops to 2-17 on the year and 1-10 in the conference.

The next action for the Knights will be February 2nd in a home contest against Adrian.  That game will be another 7:30 p.m. kickoff.