Story by Mitch Blankespoor
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Looking for its eighth straight win, the Calvin College men's basketball team hosted the Alma College Scots on Saturday, Jan. 12. Calvin defeated Alma 86-63 to improve to 13-2 (4-0 MIAA) on the season.
The Scots, who average taking roughly 25 three-pointers a game, got on the board early and led 5-2 two minutes into the contest.
This was the only time Alma held the lead. The Knights stormed back with a 21-4 run, and led 21-9 after two free throws from sophomore guard Jordan Brink (Dyer, Ind./Illiana Christian).
Calvin would extend its lead to 42-24 at halftime. Calvin scored 22 points off the bench in the first half. 12 of those points came from senior guard Bryan Powell (Wyoming/Wyoming Park) on 5-7 shooting from the floor.
The Scots shot just 32.1 percent from the floor in the first half, and a mere 3-16 from beyond the arc.
Alma could not cut Calvin's lead in the second half. The Knights led by as many as 34 points. Alma finished the game shooting 27.6 percent from beyond the arc and 41.4 percent from the field.
"It helped that Alma missed some shots in the early going," said Calvin head coach Kevin Vande Streek. "We came out with great intensity, and really locked down on defense."
Junior center Tyler Kruis (Grandville/Calvin Christian) led Calvin scoring 21 points and grabbing four rebounds. Senior Tom Snikkers (Hudsonville/Unity Christian) came up one point short of three consecutive 20-point performances. Snikkers finished with 19 points, eight rebounds, four assists and one steal.
Alma was led by Brandon Krause (Sanford/Meridian) with 14 points in defeat.
Calvin outrebounded Alma 39-28 in the contest, and had 22 assists compared to just 10 turnovers.
"I couldn't be happier with our senior class," said Vande Streek after the match. "Tommy [Snikkers] is such a tough assignment to guard. He brings smaller players into the block, and is quick enough to get around bigger guys."
Calvin returns to action Wed. January 16, when the Knights host rival Hope College at the Van Noord Arena. The game is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. start.