CKSR (Men's Basketball Team Defeats Kalamazoo/Women's Basketball Team Topples Alma)

CALVIN KNIGHT SPORTS REPORT FOR JAN. 11, 2012

Men’s Basketball Claims 68-47 Win Over Kalamazoo;
Women’s Basketball Remains Unbeaten With 86-44 Triumph Over Alma

MEN’S BASKETBALL
Calvin 68, Kalamazoo 47
(By Sports information Student Assistant Andrew Knot)

The Knights put a conclusive stamp on their first conference win with a 68-47
victory over Kalamazoo Wednesday evening. After an even first half, Calvin
outscored the Hornets 41-20 in the game’s final twenty minutes.
 
After dropping their first two close conference contests, the Knights opened
the first half in what looked like another close but disappointing showing. At
the halftime break, the Knights’ field goal percentage of 27% reflected their
early season shooting woes and the game seemed destined for another potentially
heartbreaking conclusion.
 
But the second half brought with it a breath of offensive potency. Junior
Tommy Snikkers opened the half with an old-fashioned three-point play.
Snikkers’ lay-in was assisted by junior David Rietema, who entered the game the
MIAA’s league leader in assists.
 
Minutes later, a Brian Haverdink three-ball capped a 10-0 scoring run.
Haverdink’s triple was followed closely by junior Nate Van Eck’s defiant block
of Kalamazoo’s Eric Fishman.
 
But five minutes into the half, the Hornets would cut the Calvin lead to two,
forcing a timeout from Calvin Head Coach Kevin Vande Streek. The Knights
returned to the floor determined to restore their earlier lead.
 
Sophomore Jordan Mast drilled a baseline three, and junior Bryan Powell caught
fire with three consecutive field goals from distance to put the Knights on top
by eleven.
 
Calvin’s defense also proved formidable. The Knights held the Hornets
scoreless for over five minutes late in the second half to effectively ice the
game. After junior Matt DeBoer connected on a four-footer with less than four
minutes to play, the Knights were on top by 15.
 
From there, Calvin would coast to a 21-point victory. The Knights shot 53% in
the second half and went 3-5 from beyond the arc.
 
After the game, Vande Streek noted his team’s heightened sense of desire.
 
“The intensity factor was 180 degrees from Saturday. We left everything out
on the court,” he said and added that he expects the game to serve as a
confidence boost for the squad.
 
Powell led the Knights in scoring with 18 points. Snikkers was also in double
figures with 11 points and sophomore Tyler Kruis snagged seven boards. Nine
players recorded points for Calvin on the evening.
 
Calvin travels to Alma on Saturday.
 
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Calvin 86, Alma 44

(By Sports Information Student Assistant Mark DeHaan)
Days after posting a 72-59 victory over rival Hope, the Knights were back in
action, this time playing host to the Alma Scots. Calvin, ranked fourth in the
nation in Division III, came into the game 13-0 and 6-0 in the MIAA while the
Scots came in 4-10 overall and 2-3 in the MIAA.
Calvin remained unbeaten, defeating Alma 86-44 Wednesday night at Van Noord
Arena.
Calvin jumped out to a 7-0 lead off of five early free throws, four of which
came from junior Ally Wolffis. After not attempting a free throw in the first
half against Hope, Calvin attacked the basket against Alma, making their way
into the bonus with 12:48 remaining in the opening period.
With 8:17 left, Alma closed the gap to 25-17, its closest since the opening
minutes of the game.
Calvin responded with a 5-0 run to build the lead 30-17, and wouldn’t look
back.
The Knights would close out the half leading 47-30, their highest first half
point total all season. At the break, junior Carissa Verkaik had 20 points and
seven rebounds. The Knights as a team shot 16-of-22 from the free throw line
and 14-of-28 from the field while holding the Scots to 32.3% field goal
percentage.
Calvin opened the second half on a 6-0 run to 53-30. Alma responded to close
the gap to 58-38 before stifling Calvin defense held the Scots without points
over the next eight minutes. Over that time period, the Knights extended their
lead to 74-38.
Head Coach John Ross would sub in all the players, giving each player on the
team at least seven minutes of playing time. The Knights finished the final
five minutes on a 10-4 run, including a pair of three point shots by sophomore
guard Shelby Sheehan, en route to an 86-44 victory.
The Knights were led on offense by Verkaik, who finished with 26 points and
nine rebounds, six on the offensive boards. Freshmen Kayla Engelhard had eight
points, six rebounds, and four assists while junior Julia Hilbrands added 15
points and seven rebounds off the bench.
The Scots were led by sophomore guard Brittney Deerfield who had 10 points.
Junior Danielle Hicks added nine points and eight rebounds while freshmen
Mallory Pruett also added nine points.
Calvin held Alma to 15-for-56 from the field and 3-for-17 from three point
range. The Knights shot 58.8%
The win sends Calvin to 14-0 overall and 7-0 in the MIAA while dropping Alma
to 4-11 and 2-4 in conference. Calvin will next be in action Saturday when it
travels to Rochester College for a 3 p.m. non-conference contest.
 
Received on Wed, 11 Jan 2012 23:31:11 -0500