GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Four players scored in double digits as the University of Chicago women's basketball team defeated host Calvin College 67-62 Saturday night to earn a trip to the NCAA Division III sectionals for the second time in four years.
Chicago (24-3) advances to the national round of sixteen to be held on the campus of one of the participating institutions Friday and Saturday, March 11-12. The NCAA will announce the sectional hosts Sunday afternoon.
Chicago, which extended its winning streak to 20 games, jumped out to a 17-4 lead and remained on top the rest of the way.
Sparked by 13 points from Meghan Herrick in the game's first 20 minutes, the Maroons built a 32-23 lead at the intermission. Herrick finished with a team-high 18 points.
Chicago posted its largest lead of the second stanza, 41-28, on a three-pointer from Bryanne Halfhill with 16:38 left in the contest.
The Maroons took a nine-point advantage into the final minute of play, but Calvin trimmed the gap to 66-62 on a Jill Thomas three-point shot with 18 seconds to go, but the Maroons held on to snap the Knights' 19-game homecourt winning streak.
Taylor Simpson notched her 13th double-double of the season and second in as many nights with 14 points and 13 boards. She also handed out a game-high six assists.
Morgan Herrick finished with 13 points, while Halfhill added 12.
Carissa Verkaik paced Calvin (25-5) with 23 points, 17 rebounds, and seven blocked shots. Courtney Kurncz tallied 11 points.