CSR (Calvin Bball teams fall at Wheaton(IL))

CALVIN SPORTS REPORT FOR TUESDAY DECEMBER 2, 2003

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

WHEATON, IL * A gutsy effort from the Calvin women's basketball team fell short on the road Tuesday night, falling to Wheaton College (IL) 69-61 in overtime. The Thunder improve to 3-2 overall while Calvin drops to 2-2 for the season.

The Knights outscored Wheaton 34-31 in the second half to force overtime, but turnovers late in the extra session cost Calvin down the stretch. The Knight starting backcourt committed 16 of the team's 25 turnovers for the game.

With 12 seconds left in regulation Lisa Winkle (South Christian) scored the game-tying basket on an assist from Kristen McDonald (GR West Catholic) to put the game into overtime. The Thunder controlled the extra period outscoring Calvin 13-5 as the Knights did not score for the first 3:40 of overtime.

Calvin was led by McDonald who netted 17 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and dished out six assists. Winkle, a freshman, compiled her first collegiate double-double as she amassed 14 points and notched 13 rebounds. Junior Lisa Nanninga (Grand Rapids Christian) also had a solid game in the post, scoring eight points and pulling down a game-high 15 rebounds, a career-high. Sophomore point guard Katherine Pettinga (South Christian) added 10 points.

While Calvin dominated the boards 53-28, it was negated by a season-high 25 turnovers. The Knights shot 35.8% from the floor (24-of-67) compared to the 38.3% (23-of-60) of the Thunder. Calvin was whistled for 19 personal fouls while Wheaton committed nine fouls. Calvin was 6-of-7 from the free-throw line whereas Wheaton netted 17-of-20 attempts.

The Knights return to action this weekend (December 5&6) in the St. Mary's (IN) Roundball Tournament. Calvin will face Washington University, the ninth rated team in the nation according to the latest D3hoops.com poll, on December 5 and either Illinois College or St. Mary's (IN) on December 6.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

WHEATON, IL * The strength of nationally-ranked Wheaton College (IL) was too much for visiting Calvin as the Thunder handed the Knights an 81-73 defeat. Wheaton is 4-0 and ranked 12th in the latest D3hoops.com poll.

Calvin head basketball coach Kevin Vande Streek was happy with his team's effort. "They (Wheaton) are a good team and ranked in the country. They have a good offense that puts a lot of pressure on our style of defense. We need to cut down on our mistakes defensively if we are going to win games like this."

After coming out of halftime tied at 36 apiece it looked as Calvin would gain the advantage behind a three-pointer from senior Chris Prins (Escondido, CA/Escondido Calvin Christian), as the Knights went ahead 46-45. The lead would be their last of the game as Wheaton began to pull away, stretching its lead as big as 10 points. The Knights crept within three points with 2:52 left in regulation as freshman Josh Meckes (Saginaw/Saginaw Valley Lutheran) split a pair of free-throws, but that would be as close as they would come as the Thunder pulled away for an 81-73 victory.

Prins led the way for the Knights scoring 19 points while junior Dan Aultman (Ludington/Mason County Central) added 14 points and eight rebounds.
Junior Ricky Shilts (Kalamazoo/Kalamazoo Central) notched 13 points and Kevin Broene (Grand Rapids Christian) pitched in 10 points.

Calvin shot 37.5% (24-of-64) from the floor while Wheaton converted 46.4% (26-of-56) of its shots. The Thunder pulled down 41 rebounds to the Knight's 35 rebounds. Calvin continued its hot shooting from the free-throw line converting 20-of-24 opportunities (83.3%).

Calvin will return to action on Saturday, hosting Trinity Christian College at 3:00 p.m.

Jeff Febus
Sports Information Director
Calvin College
(616) 526-6169 Office
(616) 526-8551 Fax
Received on Tue Dec 2 23:11:59 2003