| Bryan Powell came off the
bench to score 14 points for Calvin. Calvin athletics photo by Sandy Palmatter |
Story by Mitch Blankespoor
GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. – The Calvin College men's basketball team hosted No. 7 Adrian and handed the Bulldogs their first loss of the season, 56-50, in the MIAA opener for both teams.
Calvin sophomore Tyler Dykstra scored the game's first basket two minutes into the contest. Adrian answered a minute later as senior forward Sean Gallant with an offensive rebound and put-back layup.
Twice more Calvin would lead by a bucket, and both times the Bulldogs answered.
With the score tied 6-6 and 13:15 remaining in the first half, Calvin went on a quick 6-1 run capped off by a long 3-pointer from senior point guard David Rietema.
Adrian responded with four straight points from sophomore guard Eric Lewis to cut Calvin's lead to a single point. A 3-pointer from senior guard Cody Barnes gave Adrian an 18-16 lead, its largest lead of the first half.
Calvin would tie the game at 18 in a tip-in from senior Tom Snikkers with 6:42 remaining. Both teams would score seven more points en route to a 25-25 game at halftime.
Calvin senior Bryan Powell led all scorers at halftime with 10 points on 4-of-5 shooting. Barnes led Adrian with seven points.
Calvin jumped out to a six point lead seven minutes into the half. Two consecutive baskets from Adrian cut Calvin's lead to one.
The Bulldogs could not get any closer. Layups from Dykstra and junior center Tyler Kruis gave boosted Calvin's lead back to five. Adrian could not cut the lead to a single possession, and fell for the first time this season.
"Whenever you play Adrian, you know you're in for a tough and physical game," said Calvin head coach Kevin Vande Streek. "I was pleased with the intensity and effort on defense. Holding Adrian to 50 points is a feat."
Powell and Kruis led the way for Calvin with 14 points. Snikkers scored 12 points and hauled in eight rebounds.
Lewis led the way for Adrian in defeat with 17 points.
Calvin out-rebounded Adrian 39-31 in the contest. The Knights shot 87 percent from the charity stripe (13-for-15).
Adrian (11-1) will travel to DeVos Fieldhouse to face Hope on Saturday, Jan. 5. Calvin (10-2) will travel to Kresge Gymnasium to face Albion.