Behind 15 points from Chris Prins in the first half, Calvin controlled the game for much of the first 20 minutes, inducing a season-high 17 first half turnovers from the host Blue Streaks. The only negative for the Knights was going 0-9 from three-point range.
Despite that sloppy first half, the Blue Streaks were able to recover from a ten-point deficit. Trailing 27-17, John Carroll crawled back into game on the strength of Michael Grogan's nine consecutive points to cut the Knights' lead to 29-26 with 5:34 left.
Although the Blue Streaks did not tie or gain the lead in the opening period, JCU senior Dan Budzar connected for one of two free throws with 36 left to make the score 39-36 in Calvin's favor at the half .
"I though we did a nice job of containing the penetration (of JCU's point guards)," said Calvin head coach Kevin Vande Stree of his team's first half effort. "John Carroll's wings had quick releases but (Dan) Aultman and (Ryan) Smalligan tried to shut them down with their strength and reach."
The second half turned around for the Blue Streaks. The first order of business was limiting turnovers, as the Streaks committed justt seven turnovers in the second half. John Carroll regained the lead with 16:14 to go, off a dunk by David Gibbons to make the score 44-43. JCU held the lead for three minutes until two foul shots by Calvin's Dan Aultman put Calvin ahead 50-48 with just over 12 minutes to play.
John Carroll took the lead back at 53-51 when Jerry Angel connected on a three-pointer at the 11:09 mark. The Blue Streaks would never relinquish the lead again, although Calvin made several attempt the rest of the way to swipe it back.
JCU was able to extend the lead to eight with over five minutes remaining after Peter Koch connected on two free throws. Calvin responded with back-to-back three-pointers by Kevin Broene and Kyle Trewhella, bringing the game to within two points at 67-65. John Carroll answered with an 8-0 run to push the lead up to 10 for the first time in the game with 1:53 remaining. In the final two and half minutes, the Blue Streaks shot 14-16 from the free throw line to close out the victory.
"We are a second half team, and we realized that," said Angel. "At halftime, we said that we were not going to let this be the last game. So we just went out and did everything to make sure it wasn't."
Head coach Mike Moran was happy about the entire team effort, especially the play in the post.
"We got great play from some of our big men," said Moran. " Four points by John Franks (4 points and 11 rebounds) is a career night for him, but he was huge with the rebounds. Drew Salata as a tough force in the paint ... and his play helped raise the team morale. Brandon Mimes got his seven and seven, so it was a strong effort by that bunch."
John Carroll (23-5) was led by Grogan who finished with 14 points, while Gibbons added 11 points and six rebounds. Both Drew Salata and Angel chipped in 10 points, and Jon Franks grabbed a team-high 11 rebounds.
For Calvin (19-10), Chris Prins led all scorers with 19 points. Aultman finished the night with a double-double (15 points and 11 rebounds). Kyle Trewhella added 10 points for the MIAA Tournament champions.
The Blue Streaks will advance to the second round of the NCAA Division III play-offs this Saturday, March 6th at Wittenberg against Wittenberg. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Championship - 1st Round Calvin vs John Carroll 03/04/04 7:00pm at DeCarlo Varsity Center University Heights, Ohio JOHN CARROLL 88, CALVIN 77 CALVIN (19-10) Chris Prins 4-10 11-11 19; Dan Aultman 6-14 3-4 15; Kyle Trewhella 4-8 0-0 10; Ricky Shilts 3-9 2-4 9; Ryan Smalligan 2-4 3-4 7; Kevin Broene 2-8 0-0 5; Brian Roelofs 1-1 2-3 4; Josh Meckes 1-2 1-2 3; Andy Draayer 1-2 0-0 3; Jeremy Burgin 1-2 0-0 2. Totals 25-60 22-28 77. JOHN CARROLL (23-5) Michael Grogan 5-17 1-1 14; David Gibbons 5-11 1-3 11; Andrew Salata 4-5 2-2 10; Jerry Angel 4-14 0-0 10; Peter Koch 2-6 5-6 9; Jon Franks 2-2 5-6 9; Matthew Moran 2-6 3-4 8; Brandon Mimes 2-5 3-4 7; Pete Moran 0-4 6-6 6; Justin Ragor 1-1 0-0 3; Demetrius Travis 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 27-72 27-34 88. Calvin........................ 39 38 - 77 John Carroll.................. 36 52 - 88 3-point goals-Calvin 5-22 (Kyle Trewhella 2-6; Andy Draayer 1-2; Ricky Shilts 1-5; Kevin Broene 1-4; Jeremy Burgin 0-1; Dan Aultman 0-1; Chris Prins 0-3), John Carroll 7-24 (Michael Grogan 3-9; Jerry Angel 2-10; Justin Ragor 1-1; Matthew Moran 1-2; Peter Koch 0-2). Fouled out--Calvin-Kevin Broene, John Carroll-None. Rebounds-Calvin 35 (Dan Aultman 11), John Carroll 50 (Jon Franks 11). Assists-Calvin 8 (Kevin Broene 2; Ryan Smalligan 2), John Carroll 14 (Pete Moran 5). Total fouls-Calvin 25, John Carroll 20. A-2345 JCU advances to face Wittenberg in 2nd round