CSR (Calvin Holds Off Tri-State Three-Point Attack)

CALVIN SPORTS REPORT FOR JANUARY 28, 2004

MEN'S BASKETBALL

A year ago, Calvin picked up its first-ever victory over Tri-State. On
Wednesday, Calvin picked up its first-ever victory over Tri-State at the Calvin
Fieldhouse as the Knights recorded a 100-81 victory over the visiting Thunder.

Prior to Wednesday's game, Tri-State (8-10) had won its only two meetings over
the Knights at the Calvin Fieldhouse although both had come back during the
late 1960's. Tri-State still leads the all-time series with Calvin 3-2.

This year's Tri-State basketball team features a rapid-fire three-point attack
along with an offense averaging better than 94 points a game. Calvin (11-7)
used a disciplined defensive effort to hold the Thunder to 35 first half points
however as the Knights led 48-35 at intermission.

Calvin then stretched its lead to 21 points on two occasions early in the
second half, only to see Tri-State rip off a 14-4 run including a 12-0 stretch
where the Thunder connected on four consecutive three-point field goals. The
Tri-State spurt allowed the Thunder to close to within six at 74-68 with 6:58
remaining but it would get no closer as Calvin ripped off a 13-0 run of its own
to put the game away.

Calvin received a game-high 24 points from junior Dan Aultman (Mason Country
Central HS) as four Knights reached double-figures in scoring. Seniors Chris
Prins (Escondido, CA) and Mike Natelborg (Highland, IN) were next with 13
points apiece with Natelborg hitting 3 of 4 attempts from beyond the
three-point line. Senior Kevin Broene (Grand Rapids Christian HS) also had 10
points and four assists while turning the ball over just one time in 20 minutes
of action. Sophomore Joel Hoekstra (Unity Christian HS) added nine points on 4
of 4 shooting that included on three-point basket.

Tri-State was led by Micah Williams who popped in 16 points with Brandon
O'Leary scoring 13. Tri-State attempted 47 three-pointers and connected on 19
(.404) but also shot just 6 of 16 (.375) at the free throw line. Calvin shot
51.5 percent overall and 44.4 percent from three-point land. Calvin
uncharacteristically struggled at the free throw line, shooting just 66.7
percent at the stripe but did hit 22 atttempts on the evening out of 33.
Calvin also held a 62-27 rebounding edge including 22-11 on the offensive
glass. Senior Ryan Smalligan (East Grand Rapids HS) led the Knights on the
boards with nine caroms while junior Brad Sall (Unity Christian HS) had a
career-high eight boards off the bench while collecting four assists.

Calvin returns to action on Saturday when it travels to Adrian for a 3:00 p.m.
contest at the Merillat Center. Calvin, Adrian and Albion are now locked in a
three-way tie for second place in the MIAA standings behind league-leading
Hope.

OTHER MIAA MEN'S BASKETBALL SCORES WEDNESDAY

Albion 64, Kalamazoo 49
Adrian 85, Olivet 68
Hope 86, Alma 59

MIAA MEN'S BASKETBALL STANDINGS THROUGH 1-28 GAMES

Hope 5-1
Adrian 4-2
Albion 4-2
Calvin 4-2
Olivet 3-3
Kalamazoo 1-5
Alma 0-6

Jeff Febus
Sports Information Director
Calvin College
(616) 526-6169 Office
(616) 526-8551 Fax
Received on Wed Jan 28 23:51:51 2004