CKSR (Men's and Women's Basketball Teams Pick Up Victories Over Kalamazoo)

CALVIN KNIGHT SPORTS REPORT FOR JANUARY 9, 2013
 
Men's and Women's Basketball Teams Pick Up Victories Over Kalamazoo

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Calvin 97, Kalamazoo 52
 
The second-ranked Calvin women's basketball team rolled to a 97-52 victory
over visiting Kalamazoo College Wednesday night at Van Noord Arena. The Calvin
victory sets up a showdown for first place in the MIAA with rival Hope Saturday
night at Van Noord Arena. Both teams will enter the 7:30 p.m. matchup with 6-0
conference records. Undefeated Hope (14-0 overall) is also ranked fifth in one
national poll and sixth in another.
 
In its win over Kalamazoo Wednesday, Calvin (12-1 overall) led 44-17 at
halftime and never looked back. The Knights connected on 53 percent of their
field goal attempts including 61.1 percent (11-of-18) from three-point range.
 
Senior Carissa Verkaik led Calvin with 21 points, eight rebounds, five blocked
shots and four steals. She has now scored in double figures in 97 of a possible
102 career games and will carry a 20-game double-figure scoring streak into
Saturday's game with Hope.
 
Senior Julia Hilbrands also continued her strong play off the bench,
contributing 13 points, five rebounds and three blocked shots. Senior Ally
Wolffis contributed eight points
 
Senior Kelsey Irwin was 3-of-5 from three-point range. Irwin is currently
ranked fourth nationally in three-point field goal percentage (.480).
 
Calvin's point guards were also stellar on Wednesday as sophomore Kayla
Engelhard had eight points, six assists and four steals while senior Logan
Marsh had five points and seven assists.
 
For more on the Calvin-Hope women's basketball rivalry, visit the Rivalry
website at: http://www.calvinhope.com/#history
 
MIAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL STANDINGS THROUGH 1-9-13 GAMES
 
Calvin 6-0
Hope 6-0
Olivet 5-2
Adrian 3-3
Saint Mary's 3-4
Alma 2-4
Trine 2-4
Albion 1-5
Kalamazoo 0-6
 
MEN'S BASKETBALL
 
Story by Mitch Blankespoor

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – The Calvin men’s basketball team made the hour-long trip
down US-131 to Kalamazoo College Wednesday night for an MIAA matchup with the
Hornets. The Knights, who were up 11 at halftime, held the host Hornets to
just 18 second half points, and left Anderson Athletic Center with a 79-53
victory.
 
Calvin scored the first 10 points of the contest; five of them came from
sophomore guard Jordan Brink (Dyer, Ind./Illiana Christian).

Kalamazoo was able to cut Calvin’s early lead down to eight points at the 7:33
mark. Two jumpers from senior forward Tom Snikkers (Hudsonville/Unity
Christian) ensured the Knights of a double-digit lead at halftime.

Kalamazoo junior guard Mark Ghafari (Grosse Pointe Shores/University Leggett)
led all scorers at the half with 16 points including 4-5 from beyond the arc.
Snikkers led the Knights at the break with 15 points on 7-11 shooting.

“They ran a double screen for Ghafari that we had a lot of trouble with in the
first half,” said Kevin Vande Streek in a post-game interview. “We did a much
better job defensively in the second half.

Calvin did exactly that. Kalamazoo could muster just 18 points in the second
half, and Calvin held Ghafari to just two points. Calvin led 67-47 with 9:40
to play, and cruised to the victory.

Snikkers turned in his second consecutive 20-point performance, finishing with
22. Four other Knights finished in double figures.

Calvin outrebounded Kalamazoo 46-32 in the contest. The Knights shot 45.5
percent from the floor, but just 31.6 (2-9) from three point range. The
Knights also had seven blocks, and forced 17 Hornets turnovers.

“We took care of the ball, and forced turnovers,” Vande Streek said. “We need
to keep up the intensity on defense against Alma Saturday.”

Calvin will host the Scots of Alma on Saturday, Jan. 12, at 3:00 p.m.
 
MIAA MEN'S BASKETBALL STANDINGS THROUGH 1-12-13 GAMES
 
Calvin 3-0
Hope 3-0
Trine 2-1
Adrian 1-2
Alma 1-2
Kalamazoo 1-2
Olivet 1-2
Albion 0-3
Received on Thu Jan 10 00:17:39 2013