Crimson Wave outlasts Grace Christian at home Monday

Whiting, IN – The Calumet College of St. Joseph women's basketball team earned its second win of the season after beating Grace Christian 52-47 on Monday, February 12 at the Rittenmeyer Center.

How It Happened

After the previous matchup was postponed between these two on November 13, the rescheduled game finally happened on February 12. The Crimson Wave (2-21, 0-16 CCAC) and Grace Christian (1-17) both came into this game looking for their second win of the 2023-24 season. 

The game began with an 8-0 run by CCSJ, featuring five points from freshman Amaris Gonzalez and one of her four 3-pointers by Marisa Esquivel. The early run forced Grace Christian to take a timeout just three minutes into the game.

Calumet College was able to extend its lead to 11 and hold that lead until the second quarter before Grace Christian went on a 15-4 run to tie the game at 25.

The second half started with Grace Christian going on a 7-0 run before Destiny Hughes made a pull up jump shot to put an end to the stretch.

Ariel Esquivel and Hughes combined to score the next nine points for the Wave to tie the game at 34. With less than a minute to go in the third quarter, Marisa Esquivel completed a three-point play after being fouled on a layup to give CCSJ a three-point lead heading into the fourth quarter.

After a scoreless minute in the fourth quarter that consisted of six missed shots and a turnover, Vanessa Carrera made a point-blank layup to give the Crimson Wave a five-point advantage.

Halfway through the fourth Vanessa Howell would make a transition layup to extend the lead to seven, but Grace Christian would not go away easily. After a collision with her own teammate earlier in the third quarter, Lily Helmuth checked back into the game and made a deep 3-pointer from the top of the key to bring the score within one.

Calumet College's Gonzalez swished a 3-pointer the following possession from the left wing with less 52 seconds remaining. The defense of the Wave held up and they were able to notch their second win of the season.

Crimson Wave Leaders

Marisa Esquivel led the team with 17 points and four made 3-pointers. Sidney Elijah had six points and 10 rebounds while Destiny Hughes had seven points, seven rebounds and five assists. Freshman Amaris Gonzalez added eight points as well in the win.

Up Next

CCSJ returns to action Wednesday, February 14 as they host Trinity Christian at the Rittenmeyer Center at 5:00 PM CT.