WBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletics Association

[bballfan13]

Ferris State nipped Calvin by 2 in overtime, 75-73, after Calvin led by 12 with 6 minutes remaining in regulation (recap).

Calvin played 13 players, with Verkaik, Wolffis, Thomas, Kurncz, and freshman Englehard starting. Hillbrands is still in volleyball mode so I think everyone available played. The knights hit 10 of 28 3-point attempts, or 36%, which wasn't bad considering 3-point shooting has been a weakness. The most prominent stat in Ferris State's favor was rebounds, 46-36. I'm guessing D-II Ferris State has a tall, athletic team.

Verkaik had 24 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 blocks.

Disappointing ending but I'd say that's really a pretty good result under the circumstances.

I was at the game at Ferris on Tuesday.  I came away impressed with the Knights and they looked very good against a much bigger and athletic Ferris State team.  Calvin controlled the game most of the way and had the lead from the middle of the first half until the final few seconds in regulation.  They struggled a bit down the stretch but being only an exhibition game this early I don't think it's anything to worry about.  Also, they did not have a normal rotation in during the end of the game as they looked to be trying different things.

Hillbrands was definitely missed and it will be important to get her back after volleyball is finished.  Her height and physical play would have matched up well against Ferris.  Looks like the way the volleyball team is playing though, that may not be until after the first 3 games of the season.

I think the Knights come away from this overtime loss with a lot of positives and things to look forward to this year.  This was a good experience for the freshman as there was good attendance from Ferris and it felt like a real game with a pretty rowdy crowd. 

Calvin clearly outplayed Ferris for most of the game and you could tell Ferris's coach was not pleased at all as she received a technical in the second half.

[realist]

Thanks for the post bb13.  Always good to hear from someone at the game.  From what I read it sure sounded like Calvin handled themselves well, and they did miss
Hillbrands.

[Calvinhoops]

Actually Calvin probably has the best three point shooting team in the league with Thomas and Irwin.

[sac]

last year

3-POINT FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGES
# Team                  G     FG   FGA   Pct
--------------------------------------------
1.Hope College........ 30    198   548  .361
2.Calvin College...... 30    174   547  .318
3.Albion College...... 27    117   376  .311
4.Kalamazoo College... 25    139   494  .281
5.Trine University.... 26     86   312  .276
6.Alma College........ 25     87   333  .261
7.Adrian College...... 25     91   349  .261
8.Saint Mary's College 26     47   195  .241
9.Olivet College...... 25     86   389  .221


Hope graduated 90-246 3point shooting, they return 108-302 or .358

Don't know how this year will go, but it will be a stat to watch.

[realist]

Nice article on CV, and her family.

http://www.mlive.com/smallcolleges/grandrapids/index.ssf/2011/11/calvin_star_carissa_verkaik_dr.html

[Dark Knight]

Calvin plays at Manchester (IN) on Tuesday. Manchester went 14-13 last year. They lost two starters and have 9 freshmen (out of 19) on the team.

Based on last year's games, Massey says Calvin 66 Manchester 51.


Update -- Massey predicts a 24-point win for Hope against Rochester College.

[bballfan13]

Calvin wins a close one tonight against Manchester, 48-43.  Down 9 at half they were able to pull it together and get the win.  Verkaik had a big game with 20 points, 14 rebounds, and 7 blocks.  Hopefully the slow start was due to first game butterflies.

[Roundball999]

Hope over Rochester 84-36.  Everyone played by the end of 1st half, everyone scored, 4 starters in double figures.  Tough to tell too much from this game except that the defense created a lot of turnovers.

[realist]

Hitting only 2 of 16 3 attempts makes for a rough game.   

[sac]

Capital 62 Hope 53

This is something like Hope's 5th or 6th non-conference loss in the regular season since 2001......or something ridiculous like that.

[Dark Knight]

Not much you can tell from a blowout win against a weak team, but I thought it was interesting that less than half of Calvin's points were scored in the paint. Irwin had a great 4-5 performance from behind the arc.

It was unfortunate from one perspective but nice from another to see Hilbrands back in the lineup with 6 rebounds a 7 points in 13 minutes.

[realist]

Calvin 77 Iowa Wesleyan 65.  CV 16 points, and 10 blocks.

[wiz]

A spectacular day for Verkaik.  35 points, 14-17 fg, 1-1 3 pt, 6-8 ft, 12 reb.

[Dark Knight]

A spectacular day for Verkaik.  35 points, 14-17 fg, 1-1 3 pt, 6-8 ft, 12 reb.

And she didn't play much in the second half.

Siena Heights was previously undefeated, averaging 72 points a game. Calvin held them to 22 in the first half. Apparently the knights' defense is starting to turn it on again this year.

[Calvinhoops]

With the inside play of CV and company and the hustle of the frosh on defense, Calvin looks very tough.  They could use some balanced scoring in the event CV has a tough matchup.  Not sure who steps up in that case.