Story by Mitch Blankespoor
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – The Calvin College men's basketball team remained undefeated in MIAA play Wed. night with an 83-63 win over the Britons of Albion College. The Knights improve to 18-2, 9-0 MIAA on the season.
Albion, who came into the contest with just a 5-14 record, hung with 17th ranked Calvin for the first ten minutes. Senior guard Chris Hutton (Metamora/Lapeer West) scored seven of the Britons' first 12 points. Albion led 12-10 with 12:29 to go in the first half.
Albion would earn its biggest lead of the entire game three and a half minutes later. Sophomore guard Zach Hurth (Lansing/Lansing Catholic Central) drove the baseline, and skipped a pass to freshmen Eric Evans (Jenison/Jenison HS) who nailed a three point basket giving Albion a 19-14 lead with 9:56 remaining.
Calvin responded with a run that Albion could not counter. The Knights scored 30 points in the remaining ten minutes compared to just six for the Britons. Calvin sophomore guard Jordan Brink (Dyer, Ind./Illiana Christian) scored six straight points during the run including an acrobatic layup while getting fouled.
Two timeouts from Albion head coach Jody May could not stop the Knights' run. Sophomore forward Tyler Dykstra (Holland/Holland Christian) scored a basket as time expired to give Calvin a 44-25 lead at halftime.
"We did not start either half with enough intensity," Calvin head coach Kevin Vande Streek said in a post-game interview. "I had to call three timeouts to try to pump up the guys. I can't remember the last time I've had to do that."
Bryan Powell (Wyoming/Wyoming Park) led the Knights at halftime with 10 points. Kruis chipped in nine points and Brink had eight.
Calvin shot 59.4 percent from the floor including 4-9 from beyond the three point arc.
Albion did not bow out. The Britons went on a 17-7 run in the first eight minutes of the second half. Evans hit a free throw, and Calvin's lead, which was once 19 points, was now nine.
Albion would not get any closer. Powell scored seven of Calvin's next 12 points including a deep three pointer at the 8:39 mark to put Calvin back on top by 19. This lead was enough for Calvin to coast to a victory.
"We played very well in spurts tonight," Vande Streek said. "We had a nice flow and tempo on offense."
Powell finished with a game-high 17 points on 6-10 shooting. Brink scored 14. Kruis had 12 points and eight rebounds.
Albion was led by senior point guard Anthony Wash (Redford/Redford Union), who scored 16 points.
As a team, the Knights dished out 18 assists while committing just eight turnovers. Calvin won the rebounding battle 27-22.
Calvin will return to action Saturday when it hosts the Hornets of Kalamazoo College.