Local Sports Journal

Rachel Bruinsma scored a game-high 15 points, all in the second half on Friday night, and led the Western Michigan Christian Warriors to a 43-36 River Valley Conference victory over host Covenant Christian.

Bruinsma, who had two quick fouls in the first quarter, came back in the third quarter and scored 12 points in a quarter in which the Warriors turned a two-point halftime lead into a nine-point lead heading into the fourth quarter.

“We always say the first four minutes of the third quarter are a very important part of the game,” WMC coach Mike Henry said. “We scored on seven of our first nine possessions in the third quarter and that was the big key.”

Alyssa Wright and Vanessa Eekhoff added six points for the Warriors. Eekhoff added seven rebounds and Bruinsma added six rebounds and six steals. Sarah Hughes had five rebounds and Julie Merz had five assists.

Holly Hunderman led Covenant with 11 points.

WMC is now 4-2 on the season.

 

Western Michigan Christian 43, GR Covenant Christian 36

WESTERN MICHIGAN CHRISTIAN (42)
Alyssa Wright 3 0-0 6, Julie Merz 2 0-2 4, Jessica Knoll 1 2-4 4, Rachel Bruinsma 7 1-4 15, Paige Recknagel 1 0-0 2, Lindsey Johnson 2 1-3 5, Vanessa Eekhhoff 3 0-0 6. Totals 19 4-13 43.

GR COVENANT CHRISTIAN
Abby Eriks 0 0-2 0, Nicole Kamps 3 0-0 6, Arika Engelsma 3 2-3 8, Molly Van Baren 1 1-4 3, Emily Koole 3 1-2 8, Holly Hunderman 5 1-1 11. Totals 15 5-12 36.

WMC 8 – 6 – 19 – 10 — 43
Covenant 6 – 6 – 12 – 12 – 36.

3-pointers: Koole. Fouled out: none. Total fouls: WMC 15, Covenant 12. Technicals: none. A: 600.