By Mark DeHaan
Calvin faced off against fellow top-25 ranked opponent Wheaton on Saturday afternoon/ The Knights came in ranked ninth nationally while Wheaton came in ranked 13th.
Playing arguably its most complete half of the season in the first half, Calvin took the lead early and did not look back, claiming a 78-51 victory. The final score marked Calvin's largest-ever margin of victory over Wheaton in men's basketball and snapped a seven-game losing streak against Wheaton dating back to 2005.
The Knights (6-2) took an early double-digit advantage at 24-12, hitting 10 out of 11 shots to open up the game.
Calvin's defense continued to play strong, and Wheaton (5-3) was held to a single field goal for the final 10 minutes of the first half while the Knights opened up a 45-21 lead by halftime.
Calvin shot 68% in the first half while the Thunder shot just 25%. Wheaton was 2-for-15 from three-point range in the opening half.
In the second half, the Knights continued to hold the Thunder in check despite the large lead. Wheaton never came any closer than 21, and Calvin claimed an impressive 78-51 victory. The 27-point margin was Calvin's largest ever margin of victory over the Thunder.
Sophomore Jordan Daley and senior Tyler Kruis led the Knights with 17 points each. Daley's point total tied a career high. Junior Jordan Brink added 16 points.
Tyler Peters led all scorers with 21 points for Wheaton while Brayden Teuscher had 15.
"That was pretty much the total package for us today. Our intensity for 40 minutes was really good. Our confidence and our trust and our system and ourselves; all that matched together and ended it being a pretty good result," said head coach Kevin VandeStreek. "It is hard to be up 24 at half time against a good team. You sometimes get a tendency to be passive, but I felt we had guys step up and make plays."
The Knights now look forward to next week Saturday when they welcome Finlandia to Van Noord Arena. Next Saturday's contest will start at 3 p.m.