Top Headlines
Jordan Brink Named MIAA Player of the Week in Men’s Basketball
ROYAL OAK, Mich. – The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association has named Calvin guard Jordan Brink its Player of the Week in men’s basketball for games played through December 30. Brink, a sophomore from Dyer, Ind. (Illiana Christian HS), averaged 17.5 points and 6.0 rebounds as the Knights won the Elmhurst, Ill. Bluejay Classic. He fired in a career-high 27 points, including a perfect 7-of-7 from 3-point range, and grabbed seven boards in just 23 minutes of action as Calvin routed Ripon, Wis., 87-62, in the championship game. He scored 22 of his points, including six 3-pointers, in the first half. Brink, who is being honored as Player of the Week for the first time in his career, shot 59 percent from the field (13 of 22) and 75 percent from 3-point range (9 of 12) for the tournament. Brink was named to the all-tournament team at the Elmhurst Blue Jay Classic. Earlier this year, he was named the Most Valuable Player of the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Tournament Thanksgiving weekend. Calvin returns to action on Thursday in a key MIAA opener as the Knights (9-2) host an Adrian College team that is 11-0 and ranked 12th nationally. Thursday’s game at Van Noord Arena is slated to start at 7:30 p.m.
Men’s Basketball Claims Elmhurst Bluejay Classic Title with 87-62 Win Over Ripon College
Story by Mitch Blankespoor
ELMHURST, ILL. – The Calvin men’s basketball team captured the Elmhurst Bluejay Classic championship with a 87-62 win over Ripon College, Wis. late Saturday afternoon. Senior Tom Snikkers (Hudsonville/Unity Christian) and sophomore Jordan Brink (Dyer, Ind./Illiana Christian) were named to the all-tournament team. Brink and Snikkers led Calvin scoring 27 and 21 points respectively. Senior Matt De Boer (Hudsonville/Covenant Christian) scored 12 points in 15 minutes. Calvin shot a season-high 63.2 percent from beyond the arc in the contest. The Knights’ defense held Ripon to a mere 29.7 percent shooting from the field. Ripon senior forward Taylor Koth (Cedarburg, Wis./Kettle Moraine Lutheran) led the Red Hawks with 18 points in defeat. Calvin finishes the non-conference portion of its schedule with a 9-2 record. The Knights open up MIAA play with a game against the undefeated and nationally ranked Adrian Bulldogs on Thursday, Jan. 3 at Calvin’s Van Noord Arena. The game is slated to start at 7:30 p.m.
Men’s Basketball Defeats Wabash 83-56 in Bluejay Classic
Story by Mitch Blankespoor
ELMHURST, ILL. – The Calvin College men’s basketball team traveled to the west suburbs of Chicago Friday morning for the Bluejay Classic hosted by Elmhurst College. In December of 2010, Calvin split a pair of games at the same tournament. This time around, the Knights were determined not to fall in the first game. Calvin defeated Wabash College, Ind. 83-56. Kruis led the Knights with 15 points and nine rebounds. Senior guard Bryan Powell (Wyoming/Wyoming Park) chipped in 12 points. Four Knights finished with eight points. Calvin will move on to the Bluejay Classic final against Ripon College, Wis. The game is scheduled for a 5 p.m. EST start on Saturday.
