GRAND RAPIDS, MICH.-- A strong close to the first half and quick start to the second opened up a big lead for Calvin and paced the Knights to a 71-49 victory over Trine Wednesday evening at Van Noord Arena.
A 23-6 surge spanning the final seven minutes of the first half and opening four minutes of the second half turned a 25-21 Trine lead into a 46-31 advantage for the Knights. The Thunder would get no closer than nine the rest of the way. Calvin is just the second MIAA opponent to top 70 points against Trine this season. The Knights were led by Tyler Kruis with 17 points on 7-of-8 shooting. Tyler Good (Swanton, Ohio/Evergreen) paced Trine with a game-high 21 points. Trine falls to 10-6 overall and 3-2 in the MIAA. Calvin improves to 12-4 overall, 4-1 in the conference.
Tyler Dykstra notched a double-double for the Knights, with 14 points to go along with 10 rebounds. Jordan Brink added 12 points. Calvin shot 55 percent on the night (26-of-47).
Jared Holmquist (Reed City, Mich./Reed City) added nine points for Trine. The Thunder shot 30 percent overall 17-of-57.
Trine had to play from behind through most of the first half after the Knights jumped out with a 9-2 over the first four minutes of the contest. Trine was able to fight back to take a 13-12 on a three-and-one by Dixon. The Thunder would go on to lead by as much as 25-21 after a Good three, but the Knights would close out the half on a 16-4 run to take a 37-29 lead at the break.
Calvin opened the second half the same way the game started, with a 9-2 run. Kruis (five points) and Dykstra (four points) paced the Knight run. Trine would get no closer than nine the rest of the way.
Trine will travel to Albion this Saturday, Jan. 25. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m.