CALVIN SPORTS REPORT FOR JANUARY 19, 2011
Men's Basketball Gets Back on Winning Track With 73-64 Road Win at Alma
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Calvin 73, Alma 64
ALMA - Calvin got back on the winning track with a 73-64 road win at Alma College Wednesday night, allowing the Knights to even their season record at 8-8 and improve to 3-2 in league play. The Knights are now locked in a three-way tie for third place in the MIAA standings with Adrian and Kalamazoo, one game behind MIAA co-leaders Albion and Hope who are both 4-1.
Wednesday's game marked the first-ever contest for Calvin at Alma's new Art Smith Arena. Calvin threatened to pull away in the first half but the host Scots refused to let the Knights run away with the win. Calvin led 37-25 at halftime but Alma (5-10 overall, 1-4 MIAA) roared back with a 12-2 run to open the second half to pull within two at 39-37.
Calvin was able to stretch its lead to 10 at 55-45 on a three-point shot by sophomore Tom Snikkers (Jenison/Unity Christian HS) but Alma did not wilt, eventually pulling to with four at 68-64 with 1:40 remaining. Calvin freshman Jordan Brink (Dyer, IN/Illiana Christian HS) then delivered a clutch play, driving to the hole and converting a layup in traffic with just over a minute left to play to boost the Knights into a 70-64 lead. Alma then misfired on a pair of three-point attempts and Snikkers was able to convert three free throws inside the final minute of play to seal the win.
Snikkers led the Knights with 19 points and nine rebounds while senior Danny Rodts (Niles/Niles HS) had 15 points and senior Brad Schnyders (Hudsonville/Unity Christian HS) 13 points off the bench. Schnyders scored nine of his 13 points in the second half and converted a pair of key putbacks when Alma was threatening to take the lead.
"I thought we did a good job on the boards and I thought Brad Schnyders really came up with some big rebounds and putbacks when needed them," said Calvin men's basketball coach Kevin Vande Streek. "I thought our effort was good tonight. We got our hands on a lot of passes and did a job of contesting shots but to Alma's credit, I thought they really stepped up and gave us a run, particularly in the second half."
Calvin finished the game with a 40-33 rebounding advantage. The Knights shot 45.8 percent overall and converted 12 of 17 (.706) from the free throw line.
Alma was led by Cory Schneider with 20 points while Kevin Ginther had 16. The Scots shot 40.3 percent overall including 45.5 percent in the second half.
Calvin will host Trine University on Saturday at 3 p.m. at Calvin 's Van Noord Arena.
OTHER MIAA MEN'S BASKETBALL SCORES WEDNESDAY
Albion 77, Kalamazoo 68
Hope 70, Adrian 63
Olivet 90, Trine 83
MIAA MEN'S BASKETBALL STANDINGS THROUGH 1-19-11 GAMES
Albion 4-1
Hope 4-1
Adrian 3-2
Calvin 3-2
Kalamazoo 3-2
Olivet 2-3
Alma 1-4
Trine 0-5
Received on Wed Jan 19 22:54:02 2011
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