CALVIN/KALAMAZOO SMUGMUG PHOTO GALLERY - 2-1-23

KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The 14th-ranked Calvin University men's basketball team was dominant on both ends of the court in an 84-51 win at Kalamazoo on Wednesday. 

Calvin (17-3, 9-0 MIAA) was in control from the opening tip, racing out to a 13-2 lead and never looking back. 

Kalamazoo (3-17, 1-8 MIAA) tried to answer to stay within striking distance early, but the Knights rattled off runs of 15-0 and 10-0 later in the half on the way to a 41-25 halftime advantage.

Jalen Overway (Holland, Mich./Holland Christian) was the difference early, leading all players with 16 points and eight rebounds while also adding three assists in the half as the Hornets switched up defenses trying to find a way to slow down the Knights.

The runs continued in the second half, as Calvin once again scored 16 straight points in the opening minutes to put the game away.

The Knights put together a clinical performance inside and outside on the offensive end, making a season-high 13 three-pointers and shooting 40.6 percent from downtown while also shooting 52.5 percent overall and out-scoring the Hornets 36-24 in the paint.

Defensively, Calvin held Kalamazoo to 35.8 percent from the field and 25.0 percent (6-24) from beyond the arc.

Overway finished with a game-high 27 points on 12-16 shooting, and also led the Knights with 15 rebounds and four assists. Luka Ressler (Caledonia, Mich./Catholic Central) added 12 points and shot 4-8 from distance, while Owen Varnado (Muskegon, Mich./Western Michigan Christian) and Marcus Bult (Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton Academy) each scored 10 points in the win.

COACH'S COMMENT: I thought overall we really defended well and took away the things they do exceptionally well," Calvin head men's basketball coach Bill Sall said. "Good to see some guys make shots. Owen Varnado went 2-2 from three. Matt Ambrose (Kildeer, Ill./Adlai E. Stevenson) was 2-4, and Luka was really good today and was 4-8 from three. And then Jalen Overway was pretty much unstoppable inside. I thought that was probably the best, most under control game he's played this year when the doubles came and he was able to relax a bit and find the guys with good passes in rhythm. There were a number of really good things in a really good road win with a chance to build from there."

NEXT UP: Calvin men's basketball returns to action on Saturday, February 4, when it hosts Olivet in a game scheduled to tip off at 3:00 PM.