ICALVIN SPORTS REPORT FOR MARCH 5, 2005
MEN'S BASKETBALL
(Story written by Abby Zylstra)
AURORA, IL - The Thornton Gymnasium on the campus of Aurora University has been
proven to be quite a challenge to play in for opposing teams. Heading into
Saturday's second round NCAA III Tournament game with visiting Calvin, Aurora
had not tasted defeat at home during the 2004-05 campaign, posting a 13-0
record at home. In its only prior visit to Aurora, back in December of 1998,
Calvin had also tasted defeat, falling 87-83.
That all changed on Saturday night as Calvin defeated Aurora 71-59, Saturday
night at the Thorton Gymnasium in Aurora, Illinois. With this win,
Calvin advances to the Sweet 16 for the first time since the 1999-2000 season
and for the sixth time in Calvin men's basketball history. Calvin will face
Mississippi College in a sectional semifinal game next Friday night at a time
and location to be announced on Sunday night. Calvin and Mississippi College
will be joined in the sectional field by John Carroll University and Albion
College. With Albion also advancing, it marks the first time that two MIAA
schools have advanced to the "Sweet 16" round in the same year.
Aurora (23-5) started its game with Calvin fast, taking a 4-0 lead with both
shots coming from CourtneyCarson, but junior Kyle Trewhella hit a three-pointer
to bring the Knights within one point. Four minutes into the game, the Spartans
led, 10-5. Senior Dan Aultman hit back to back baskets to bring the
Knights back to within one, 9-10. Aurora had a 10-2 run, giving them a
nine point advantage, but the Knights answered back with five points,
including junior Andy Draayer's first three-pointer of the game, 20-16
with 9:20 left in the first half. With seven minutes left to play in
the first half, Aurora took its biggest lead off a three-pointer
from Drew Gronau, making the score 33-18. However, Draayer answered
with three consecutive three-pointers, with 5:27 to play, bringing
Calivn within six points, 33-27. Calvin and Aurora exchanged baskets
until the end of the half when senior Ricky Shilts hit a three-pointer
to close the half. Aurora led at halftime, 37-32.
Calvin came out on fire at the beginning of the second half. The
Knights made three consecutive baskets, the third basket from junior
Brian Roelofs to give the Knights their first lead of the game, 38-37.
Aurora managed to get a shot in, but Aultman answered to give the
Knights back their lead. Roelofs then converted a three-point play, followed by
another Draayer three, a basket from Aultman and finally a junior Joel
Hoekstra three-pointer to finish what was a 19-2 Calvin run and give the
Knights their biggest lead of the game, 51-39.
Aurora would come back within three points at 51-48, but an Aultman two-pointer
and a Roelofs three-pointer gave the Knights a 56-48 lead. Aurora
caught back up within four with 7:24 to go in the game, 56-52, but a
Draayer three would stall their run. With four minutes left, Calvin
led 63-56, and would start a run to finish off the game, including four
free throws from senior Josh Vriesman and two from senior Ricky Shilts.
"That was crazy out there tonight," said assistant coach Tim Van Dyke on
Calvin's radio post-game show
"The guys responded again and D'd it up like mad."
Aultman led the Knights with 20 points, followed by Draayer with 17, and
Hoekstra and Roelofs both scored nine. Sophomore Josh Meckes grabbed
eight rebounds and Hoekstra and Aultman both had six. Hoekstra also
had two blocks. As a team, Calvin had 13 assists and shot 43.5% for
the game, compared to 37.9% for Aurora. Calvin also out-rebounded
Aurora, 48-31.
Aurora was led by freshman Larry Welton scoring 14 points, followed by
senior Adam McCoy with 11 points.
"It was a Calvin crowd tonight. It was outstanding," said Van Dyke.
"We travel very well and that makes it fun. There's a lot of great
Calvin fans out there, and we appreciate them all."
This is the first time in MIAA history that two men's and women's teams
make it to the Sweet 16. Both Albion and Calvin's men's and women's
teams advanced to the Sweet 16. The teams will find out tomorrow night
where and when they will be playing.
ICE HOCKEY
PITTSBURGH, PA - Calvin closed out its run through the ACHA Division III
National Tournament with a 5-2 victory over Arizona State University Saturday
afternoon. The victory allowed the Knights to finish ninth in the 16-team
tournament. Calvin broke a 2-2 tie with three goals in the third period.
Junior Nick VerKuyl finished the game with four goals while freshman Clay
Verkaik also netted one goal. Junior Max Sieplinga (Grand Rapids Christian HS)
was also credited with four assists. Calvin outshot Arizona State 57-29 with
sophomore goaltender Greg Clark (Laporte, IN) collecting 27 saves. In a Friday
victory over Florida Gulf Coast College, sophomore Greg Clark was uncorrectly
identified as Calvin's starting goaltender when freshman John Singleton
(Highlands Ranch, CO) was actually in nets.
Calvin closes out its season with a sparkling 27-4 overall record.
Jeff Febus
Sports Information Director
Calvin College
(616) 526-6169 Office
(616) 526-8551 Fax
Received on Sun Mar 6 00:29:23 2005
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