CKSR (Basketball Teams Pick Up Conference Victories)

CALVIN KNIGHT SPORTS REPORT FOR JAN. 30, 2013

Basketball Teams Pick Up Conference Victories

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Calvin 92, Kalamazoo 35
By Mark DeHaan

KALAMAZOO - Calvin continued its undefeated MIAA season Wednesday night when
it traveled to Kalamazoo to face the Hornets. The Knights received good minutes
and strong play from its bench as they defeated the Hornets 92-35 at the
Anderson Athletic Center.

The Calvin offense started off a bit slow as the Knights led just 6-2 five
minutes into the contest. A three-point shot from sophomore Kayla Engelhard
then put the Knights up 9-2 and jump-started their offense as they proceeded to
build a 21-4 advantage with 11:01 remaining in the first half. Calvin's offense
sizzled throughout the remainder of the first half, shooting 66% from the
field, including 5-for-7 from three-point range, as it took a 49-13 lead into
the break.

Senior Carissa Verkaik led all scorers with 12 points at intermission, while
junior Kirstin Tripp and sophomore Hannah Acre added seven apiece.

In the second half, the Knights continued to roll as they received effective
minutes from their bench. Calvin's largest lead came with just over nine
minutes left in the contest on an Acre jump-shot that put the Knights up 78-17.
Calvin coasted the remainder of the way, seeing significant minutes from its
bench as it earned its 11th MIAA victory and 17th straight win, 92-35 over the
Hornets.

Verkaik finished the game with 19 points, five rebounds and five blocks. Acre
added a career high 13 points and nine rebounds while Marsh tallied 12 points
on four three-pointers. Calvin finished the game shooting 56% from the field.
The Knights bench outscored the Kalamazoo bench 47-19.

“It was important to play well and get a big lead because we're nursing some
injuries right now,” said head coach John Ross. “I think we came out and played
with a lot of energy early on. Logan Marsh played really well, hitting four
threes; it was good to see her going. It was great to see a lot of our young
players come in and play really well as well, because that is the future of the
program.”

Calvin is now 11-0 in conference play and 18-1 overall, while Kalamazoo drops
to 2-18 overall and 1-11 in the MIAA. The Knights now look forward to Saturday
when they will play in the first game of a basketball doubleheader at Van
Noord Arena.

The women are scheduled to play Trine at 1 p.m., while the men will face
Kalamazoo at 3 p.m.

MIAA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL STANDINGS THROUGH 1-30-13 GAMES

Calvin 11-0
Hope 11-1
Olivet 9-3
Alma 5-6
Trine 5-6
Adrian 4-8
Albion 3-8
Saint Mary’s 3-9
Kalamazoo 1-11

MEN’S BASKETBALL
Calvin 83, Albion 63
By Mitch Blankespoor

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – The Calvin College men’s basketball team remained
undefeated in MIAA play Wednesday night with an 83-63 win over the Britons of
Albion College. The Knights improve to 18-2, 9-0 MIAA on the season.
Albion, which came into the contest with just a 5-14 record, hung with 17th
ranked Calvin for the first ten minutes. Senior guard Chris Hutton
(Metamora/Lapeer West) scored seven of the Britons’ first 12 points. Albion
led 12-10 with 12:29 to go in the first half.
Albion would earn its biggest lead of the entire game three-and-a half minutes
later. Sophomore guard Zach Hurth (Lansing/Lansing Catholic Central) drove the
baseline, and skipped a pass to freshmen Eric Evans (Jenison/Jenison HS) who
nailed a three point basket giving Albion a 19-14 lead with 9:56 remaining.
Calvin responded with a run that Albion could not counter. The Knights scored
30 points in the remaining ten minutes compared to just six for the Britons.
Calvin sophomore guard Jordan Brink (Dyer, Ind./Illiana Christian) scored six
straight points during the run including an acrobatic layup while getting
fouled.
Two timeouts from Albion head coach Jody May could not stop the Knights’ run.
Sophomore forward Tyler Dykstra (Holland/Holland Christian) scored a basket as
time expired to give Calvin a 44-25 lead at halftime.
“We did not start either half with enough intensity,” Calvin head coach Kevin
Vande Streek said in a post-game interview. “I had to call three timeouts to
try to pump up the guys. I can’t remember the last time I’ve had to do that.”
Bryan Powell (Wyoming/Wyoming Park) led the Knights at halftime with 10
points. Kruis chipped in nine points and Brink had eight.
Calvin shot 59.4 percent from the floor including 4-9 from beyond the three
point arc.
Albion did not bow out. The Britons went on a 17-7 run in the first eight
minutes of the second half. Evans hit a free throw, and Calvin’s lead, which
was once 19 points, was now nine.
Albion would not get any closer. Powell scored seven of Calvin’s next 12
points including a deep three pointer at the 8:39 mark to put Calvin back on
top by 19. This lead was enough for Calvin to coast to a victory.
“We played very well in spurts tonight,” Vande Streek said. “We had a nice
flow and tempo on offense.”
Powell finished with a game-high 17 points on 6-10 shooting. Brink scored 14.
 Kruis had 12 points and eight rebounds.
Albion was led by senior point guard Anthony Wash (Redford/Redford Union), who
scored 16 points.
As a team, the Knights dished out 18 assists while committing just eight
turnovers. Calvin won the rebounding battle 27-22.
Calvin will return to action Saturday when it hosts the Hornets of Kalamazoo
College.

MIAA MEN’S BASKETBALL STANDINGS THROUGH 1-30-13 GAMES
Calvin 9-0
Hope 7-2
Trine 6-3
Adrian 4-5
Olivet 4-5
Alma 3-6
Kalamazoo 2-7
Albion 1-8
Received on Wed Jan 30 23:33:48 2013