Bouncing back from a loss to Kalamazoo on Saturday, the Knights improved their MIAA record to 2-1 with a 78-74 victory over Olivet on Wednesday. With the win, Calvin is now locked in a five-way tie for first place in the MIAA standings with Adrian, Albion, Hope and Kalamazoo.

Calvin never trailed in the game, opening to a 5-0 lead in the first minute.  Danny Rodts set the pace early with a three-pointer and two quick free-throws. 

The Knights pulled away and expanded the lead to 13 at one point.  But Olivet would slowly chip at the Calvin lead.  Michael McClary and Nathan Jennings combined for 26 of Olivet's 33 first half points.  Calvin led seven at half-time, shooting an impressive 53.6% from the field.

Olivet would cut the Calvin lead to just three points in the opening stages of the second half. 

Bryan Powell generated a little spark at the 14 minute mark, scoring four points in a minute to bring Calvin ahead by nine.  Though Olivet clawed back to within a four point deficit with just a minute left, but Calvin was pure from the free throw line, hitting seven of eight free throws in the final minute.  Freshman Jordan Brink's two free-throws put the Knights on top by four and sealed the game for Calvin with a second remaining.

Leading the way for Calvin was sophomore Tom Snikkers, who tallied 17 points and eight rebounds.  Rodts finished with 14 points and four rebounds while Powell had 11 points and senior Brent Schuster 10 points. 

Coach Kevin Vande Streek was impressed with his team's ability to stave off Olivet's charges, something that plagued them earlier in the season.

"We worked like crazy and stayed focused for 40 minutes," he said.

The Knights travel to square off against MIAA foe Adrian on Saturday.