GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Calvin head coach Bill Sall returned to the Calvin-Hope rivalry he used to dominate on Wednesday, this time as a head coach.

He coached the Knights to a 75-62 win in his first game back within the historic contest. "It was great to be back in a Hope-Calvin basketball game for the first time in 25 years," Sall said. The Knights improved to 2-1 in the conference and 8-6 overall, while the Flying Dutchmen dropped to 1-2 in the conference and 8-6 overall.

In the 202nd meeting between the Knights and the Flying Dutchmen, the cast of characters looked very different from the last. Calvin featured new head coach Bill Sall who went 7-3 in the rivalry as a player. Over half of Hope's roster competed in the rivalry for the first time. With a lot of new blood on the court, each team started sluggish. Calvin did not score until four minutes into the game, and the Flying Dutchmen found themselves stuck at eight points after ten minutes of play.

 Defense dominated the first half, with Calvin shooting a measly 27.6% from the floor and Hope a dreadful 22.2%. Sophomore forward Jordan Katje provided the spark the Knights needed with six rebounds and six points. Katje, who only averages 1.2 points per game, came up with several key offensive rebounds leading to important baskets. "Jordan's effort was amazing. He hit some shots; he was everywhere. Having to guard someone 6-10 when you're 6-5 is tough, and he did a great job," Sall said. The Knights led at the half 24-20.

Thad Shymanski shot the Knights into the lead after the break with 20 second half points. His five second half threes created a margin that grew to 20 points with just under six minutes to play. Derrick DeVries dished a career high ten assists, many of them going to Shymanski behind the arc.

Evan Thomas had seven points early in the second half for Hope, helping the Flying Dutchmen manage the gap. Timely three pointers from Shymanski and senior Tony DeWitte helped the Knights pull away. Granger added several layups late to tighten up the score, but the Knights were in control all the way down the stretch. The Knights went on to finish the win, 75-62.

While Granger struggled in the first half, the Hope senior came back to lead the Flying Dutchmen offensively with 18 points. Tyler George added 11 off the bench and Evan Thomas had 10 for Hope. An improved Calvin defense held the Flying Dutchmen to 34.6 % shooting and 62 points, a defensive effort coach Sall described as "by far the best defense we've played all year."

For Calvin, Shymanski poured in 25 points while shooting 6/9 from three. Derrick DeVries had 18 with those ten assists. DeWitte scored nine and Alex Bos added eight in the victory. A hot second half bumped the Knights shooting percentage all the way up to 41.4% on the night.

All three of the seniors on Calvin's lineup enjoyed the win in what might be their final rivalry contest at home. "Once you start playing, it's just fun," DeVries said. "Seeing all of your friends and classmates in the stands, it's fun." This senior class moves to 6-3 in their careers against Hope, basically guaranteeing a winning record.

With the win, the Knights opened the eleventh decade of this rivalry by tightening Hope's series advantage to 103-99. Calvin is now on a four-game winning streak in the rivalry dating back to 018. The two meet again in Holland on Saturday, February 8.

UP NEXT: The Knights host Trine at 3 p.m. on Saturday, with the Thunder coming in a perfect 3-0 in the conference.