Story by Mitch Blankespoor
OLIVET, MI – The #17 ranked Calvin men's basketball team traveled to the Cutler Athletic Complex Wed., Jan. 23 for a showdown with the Comets of Olivet College. Despite losing two of the previous three games to the Comets at Olivet, the Knights defeated the Comets 73-57 to improve to 16-2, 7-0 MIAA on the season.
The entire first half was played within an 11-point window. Olivet's biggest lead came in the first two minutes. The Comets hit their first two three point attempts, and led the game 6-2.
A Tom Snikkers (Hudsonville/Unity Christian) layup gave Calvin its first lead of the game, 8-6, a minute later. The Knights would stretch their lead to 37-29 on a three pointer from senior guard Bryan Powell (Wyoming/Wyoming Park) with 2:41 to play in the first half.
The Comets would answer with jumpers from sophomore Blake Krum (Schoolcraft/Schoolcraft HS) and junior DaunTrell Hill (Wyoming/Godwin Heights). Calvin led by just four, 37-33 at halftime.
Snikkers and sophomore Tyler Dykstra (Holland/Holland Christian) each had eight points at the break.
Calvin continued to add to its lead early in the second half. The Knights' lead hit double digits at the 16:22 mark on a three pointer from Powell.
The Comets cut Calvin's lead to eight points with 9:16 remaining, but could get no closer. Calvin coasted to a 16-point victory.
Snikkers led Calvin with 21 points and nine rebounds, falling one rebound short of a double-double.
"I think Tom was frustrated with his performance at Trine on Saturday," Calvin head coach Kevin Vande Streek said. "His combination of strength and quickness makes him a tough matchup for any opponent."
Powell, Tyler Kruis (Grandville/Calvin Christian) and Dykstra all scored in double figures, finishing with 15, 13 and 12 points respectively.
Krum led the Comets in defeat with 18 points and 10 rebounds.
Olivet did shoot the three point shot well. The Comets were 10-25 in the game, good for 40 percent.
"Chris [Coles] has done a really nice job with the program," Vande Streek said. "They have improved greatly since the beginning of the season."
Calvin shot 43.3 percent from the field, but dominated on the boards. Calvin outrebounded the Comets 45-25, 17 of which were offensive. Over the last seven seasons, Calvin is now 155-35 (.756) when it outrebounds its opponents.
Calvin will travel to Merrilat Gymnasium on Sat., Jan. 26, for a 7:30 p.m. game against the Adrian Bulldogs. Calvin defeated then #7 Adrian 56-50 at the Van Noord Arena back on Jan. 3.