CSR (Men's Basketball Takes Sole Possession of First Place in MIAA Standings With Win at Kalamazoo)

CALVIN SPORTS REPORT FOR JANUARY 21, 2010
 
Men's Basketball Takes Sole Possession of First Place in MIAA Standings With Win at Kalamazoo
 
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Calvin 80, Kalamazoo 67
 
KALAMAZOO -- The Calvin men's basketball team is in sole possession of first place in the MIAA standings. The Knights (10-6 overall, 5-0 MIAA) gained sole possession of the top spot in the league with an 80-67 victory over Kalamazoo Wednesday night at the Anderson Athletic Center, lifting the Knights one game ahead of Albion (4-1 MIAA) which dropped a 62-55 decision to Hope (4-2 MIAA) Wednesday.
 
The Knights have now won five straight games including eight of their last nine.
 
Calvin placed four players in double digits in scoring led by senior John Mantel and junior Brad Schnyders with 15 points apiece. The scoring effort by Schnyders was a career scoring high. Mantel also grabbed 11 rebounds to notch his fifth double-double of the season and the 13th double-double of his career.
 
Freshman Tom Snikkers had 13 points and eight rebounds with junior Danny Rodts contributing 12 points. Junior Trent Salo also had nine points and three assists.
 
Calvin led 40-33 at halftime and broke the game open with a with a 19-7 run midway through the second half that allowed the Knights to build a 63-45 lead. Kalamazoo got no closer than 11 the rest of the way as the Knights secured the win.
 
Kalamazoo (3-13 overall, 2-3 MIAA) was led in defeat by Ryan Clark who scored a game-high 28 points including five three-point field goals. Joe Prepolec had 17 points and nine rebounds for the Hornets while Eric Fishman contributed 10 points and four assists.
 
"I was really pleased with our performance," said Calvin men's basketball coach Kevin Vande Streek. "Any time you come to Kalamazoo, you have to expect a hard fought physical game and tonight was certainly that. I thought our bench played a key role and really gave our team a boost when some our starters got in foul trouble. Our depth was certainly a big plus in this game."
 
Calvin shot 43.9 percent overall but connected on 25 of 28 (.893) at the free throw line while Kalamazoo was just 11 of 18 (.611) at the charity stripe.
 
"If you want to win on the road in the MIAA, you must hit your free throws," said Vande Streek. "I thought we did an excellent job of focusing at the free throw line and hitting our shots when we needed them."
 
Calvin also held a 45-32 rebounding edge with junior Brent Schuster collecting nine rebounds and also blocking three shots.
 
Calvin will now turn its attention to a Saturday night showdown at Van Noord Arena against Albion which sits just a game behind Calvin in the league standings. "Albion is a terrific team and very well-coached," said Vande Streek. "We'll expect another intense, physical game. We will have to be up for the challenge because I know Albion will give us their best performance with first place on the line."
 
Saturday's game is slated to start at 7:30 p.m.
 
OTHER MIAA MEN'S BASKETBALL SCORES WEDNESDAY
 
Hope 62, Albion 55
Adrian 65, Olivet 64 (OT)
Trine 67, Alma 60
 
MIAA MEN'S BASKETBALL STANDINGS THROUGH 1-21-10 GAMES
 
Calvin 5-0
Albion 4-1
Adrian 3-2
Hope 3-2
Kalamazoo 2-3
Olivet 2-3
Trine 1-4
Alma 0-5
Received on Wed Jan 20 22:37:08 2010