GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Calvin men's basketball started its season off with a dominant win over Illinois Tech with a score of 85-54 on Saturday afternoon. 

The Knights grabbed the lead quickly to begin their first game of the season. Sophomore Uchenna Egekeze (Huntley, IL / Huntley) made a tough layup through contact to draw the foul and give Calvin a 7-5 lead early on. Senior Jordan Katje (Kalamazoo, MI / Kalamazoo Christian) later fought through contact on a put back to extend the lead for Calvin to 12-5. 

Calvin continued to add to its lead as senior Thad Shymanski (Ada, MI / Grand Rapids Christian) nailed a three-pointer at the top of the key to make it a 20-12 advantage. The Scarlet Hawks slowly started to get back in the game to make it 24-16 after a made layup with 10 minutes left in the first half. The Knights answered with a 10-5 run capped off by a layup by Egekeze to make it a 34-21 game. 

Calvin was rolling on the offensive end as it built a lead of 48-33 after a deep jumper by Shymanski with 2:13 left in the half. The Knights held their lead going into halftime with a score of 52-35. 

Egekeze and Shymanski led the way for the Knights in the first half with each having 13 points apiece. The Knights outrebounded the Scarlet Hawks 23-10 in the first half and shot 21-41 (51.2%) from the field and 4-10 (40%) from three. 

The second half started with each team having a slower start and after a made free throw from Luke Morrison (Bristol, IN / Northridge) the Knights led 57-40. Calvin was gaining momentum after a couple of makes and Illinois Tech didn't have any answers for them.

After a made basket by Eli Sensenig (Grayslake, IN / Westlake Christian Academy), Calvin was leading 63-42 with 13:45 left in game and held a 21-point lead. 

The Knights were in full command as they lead 75-46 after a made three by Sensenig with 6:40 left in the game. Calvin never let up and outscored Illinois Institute of Technology 33-19 in the second half to win the first game of the season for Calvin. 

Egekeze led Calvin in scoring with 19 points and three more Knights cracked double digits in the game. Shymanski finished with 15 points and 6 assists while Morrison ended the afternoon with 14 points and 4 assist. Katje had a double-double in the first game of the season as he finished with 10 points and 14 rebounds. 

Calvin finished the game shooting 32-75 (42.7%) from the field and 7-24 (29.2) from three. The Knights also outrebounded the Scarlet Hawks 54-28 and had 21 assists on the day.

COACHES COMMENT: "I think we had some good moments and maybe some not-so-good moments, but I think that is a little indicative of a first game," said Calvin head men's basketball coach Bill Sall. "I liked our energy. I thought we did a little better job defensively in the second half in taking away some of their things on offense. Obviously, some things to work on but glad to get a chance to play and get a win at home." 

UP NEXT: The Knights will host Grace Christian on Tuesday November 9 at 7:30 p.m. in an exhibition game at Van Noord Arena.