Grand Rapids, MI. - Calvin College handed the Eastern men's basketball team its first loss of the season in an 87-66 win over the Eagles tonight. Eastern University is now 1-1 on the season, while Calvin College improved to 2-0. This was the first meeting between the two teams. Eastern returns home to host Ursinus College on Tuesday night at 7:00 PM.
Eastern led the Knights most of the first half, when, with six minutes left in the half, Calvin made a 3-pointer to go up 28-26. With 5 minutes to go in the first half, Calvin went on an 18-2 run to give the hosts a 15-point lead at 48-33. The Knight advantage bulged to as much as 26 points at 85-59 with 3:02 left in the game.
Senior Ryan Tozer (Norwood, PA/Friends Central) led the Eagles with 26 points, two rebounds, and one steal, making 8 of 12 from behind the arc. Senior Brent Voorhees (Grandville, MI/Tri-Unity Christian) scored 12 points with 1 rebound, and one steal, also shooting well from the three (3-7). Junior Chris McMonagle (Lancaster, PA/Lancaster Catholic) scored 8 points with a game-high 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals. Junior forward Bryan Nadelhoffer (Aurora, IL/Tigard) had 5 points and 3 rebounds. Freshman guard David Volpe (Harleysville, PA/Christopher Dock) had 6 points, 2 assists and 2 of 3 3-pointers and freshman guard Tyrone Coleman (Lafayette Hills, PA/Plymouth Meeting) scored 5 points with 2 assists and 2 rebounds.
Eastern shot 45.8% (11-24) from the field in the first half, but shot 31.3% (10-32) in the second half for a 37.5% (21-56) field goal percentage in the game. The Eagles shot 55.6% (15-27) from three-point range and 69.2% (9-13) from the free throw line. Calvin shot 56.7% (17-30) from the field in the first half and improved its field goal percentage in the second half with a 41.4% (12-29) effort from the floor for a 49.2% field goal percentage in the game. The Knights shot 37.5% (9-24) from three-point range and 71.4% (20-25) at the charity stripe.
For Calvin, Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Conference Player of the Year Dan Aultman scored 19 points. Kyle Trewhella shot 8-16 from the field to lead the Eagles with 19 points. Ricky Shilts and Josh Vriesman each scored nine points and Brad Sall added ten points.
Coach Nadelhoffer said after the game, "I was very proud of our kids and our program despite the loss. We had a three-minute lapse during the first half and that is when Calvin won the game. Calvin College is a program that we strive every day to be like."