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.