GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Calvin rolled to a 99-65 victory over Alma College Tuesday night at Van Noord Arena.
Tuesday's tilt marked the home opener for the Calvin men's basketball team.
The Knights got the scoring going early with sophomore transfer Brandon Paul connecting on an electric dunk on a fast break. Senior Thad Shymanksi came down on a fast break and hit a three pointer to give the Knights an 11-5 lead in the early minutes of the game. Many Knights were contributing to the scoring with junior Jordan Katje hitting a baseline jumper to give them an 18-9 lead with thirteen minutes left in the 1st half.
Alma started to climb back into the game after a top of the key three pointer to make it a 23-19 advantage with nine minutes left in half. Calvin picked up the energy on defense with freshman Uchenna Egekeze getting three steals in the first half for the Knights. Calvin started to pile on the point in the final seven minutes of the half.
Senior Emmett Warners hit another three to extend the lead to thirteen with a score of 39-26 with 5:30 left in the half. A terrific shooting half for the Knights ended with Shymanksi driving down the lane on a fast break to beat the buzzer and put Calvin up 58-36 at the break. Calvin shot 8-12 from the three-point line and 21-34 from the field. The Knight's were also excellent on defense with eight steals in the first half.
The Knights continue the scoring onslaught right away in the second half. Paul had another dunk off a missed shot to give Calvin a 65-40 lead with seventeen minutes left in the game.
Calvin dominated the rest of the game to gain the win. The Knights held Alma to 39% from the field and 28% from the three-point line while forcing 19 turnovers.
Calvin had five players in double figures in scoring with Emmett Warners leading them with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Thad Shymanksi finished with 21 points while teammate Brandon Paul had 14 points. In addition, Jordan Katje scored 13 points and freshman Uchenna Egekeze finished with 11 points. The Knights shot 52% from the field and 40% from the three point while also outrebounding the Scots 41-35.
COACHES COMMENT: "It was good to see the ball move tonight," said Calvin head men's basketball coach Bill Sall. "We had 22 assists which means we were sharing the basketball. I thought our defensive effort was good and a lot of guys got some minutes. Most of all I think we are just excited and extremely grateful to be able to play basketball again."
UP NEXT: Calvin will be home against Olivet on Wednesday January 20 with a 7:30 p.m. tipoff at Van Noord Arena.