GRAND RAPIDS, MI — The Calvin men's basketball endured a tough test and came out on top Friday night, winning 59-56 against the preseason 3rd-ranked team in the country, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
The game was tightly contested throughout with both teams playing strong defense and trading baskets. The largest lead of the game was recorded by the Calvin Knights, an 8-point lead coming after a made 3-point shot by freshman Jalen Overway, with 16:59 remaining in the second half. Both teams played with great energy, emotion, and resilience, resulting in the close finish.
Jalen Overway posted a tremendous stat line, scoring 34 points to go with 11 rebounds and 2 assists. Showing to be nearly unstoppable in the low-post, Overway sunk 15 of 20 shots with many coming in the form of low-post, turnaround hook shots. He also displayed shooting range, sinking 2-3 from behind the arc.
The intensity from both teams was evident early as both teams started out very strong defensively. Ten minutes into the first half, the score was tied only 10-10. Calvin would go on to win the first half, 28-23. Marcus Bult was the leading scorer for the Knights in the first half, with 11 points on 50% shooting. Levi Borchert was one of two top scorers for the Titans with 6 points and 6 rebounds.
Offense flowed easier for both teams in the second half as both teams shot 50% or greater from the field. Jalen Overway scored Calvin's first 11 points of the half, feeding off the energy provided by the home fans and Calvin players. The Titans responded, taking the lead 43-42 on a Levi Borchert layup, with 11:37 remaining in the half. There would be three more lead changes in the second half.
The last minute of the game was dramatic. After a made free-throw by the Titan's Hunter Plamann with 48 seconds remaining, Carter Thomas intercepted a Calvin pass across the middle. Crossing the half court line as he landed, Thomas was called for advancing back across the half line, giving Calvin possession. After a missed Calvin shot, Jalen Overway snared a rebound and tacked on a layup for the Knight to put Calvin up 59-56. The Titans had one last chance but a three-point shot in the closing seconds was off the mark, giving Calvin the upset win.
Levi Borchert was the leading scorer for the Titans, with 19 points and 14 rebounds, showing great touch and footwork around the basket. Jonah Rindfleisch greatly contributed, scoring 11 on 4-7 shooting. Eric Peterson also had 8 points to go with 3 steals.
Jalen Overway led the Knights with 34 points and was followed by Marcus Bult with 16 points. Eli Sensenig created great opportunities for his teammates, recording 6 assists and grabbing 9 rebounds.
COACHES COMMENT: "I was really proud of our guys and how hard they fought today," said Calvin head men's basketball coach Bill Sall. "That's a good team and man, we just battled…I said before the game, hey, if we out-rebound them, and have the ability to have less turnovers than them, we got a shot. Today, what I thought was great was the job we did on the glass and our overall work ethic."
NEXT UP: The Calvin Knights play again tomorrow, Saturday, November 12 at 1:30 p.m. inside Van Noord Arena. They will face University of Wisconsin-Stout.