Ranked 23rd in the latest D3hoops.com Top-25 poll, the Knights (15-4 overall) are now 7-1 in league play as is Albion which gained a 73-63 victory at Olivet Saturday. It sets up a showdown for first place next Wednesday night at Albion's Kresge Gymnasium with the opening tip set for 7:30 p.m. Ranked sixth in the latest D3hoops.com Top-25 poll, Albion handed Calvin a 68-65 defeat earlier this month.
Calvin used defense and torrid three-point shooting to pull away for the victory against Adrian as the Knights limited the Bulldogs to 30.4 percent shooting while connecting on 12 of 20 (.600) from three-point range including eight of 10 in the second half when the Knights outscored the Bulldogs 44-30.
Calvin broke open a tight game with a 16-2 run over the final 6:06 of the first half - en route to taking a 36-21 halftime lead. Calvin continued the pressure in the second half and used a 14-0 run early in the second half to put the game away. Junior forward Andy Draayer fired in three consecutive triples during the 14-0 run with senior Ricky Shilts also popping in a triple during the spurt.
Draayer finished the game with a game-high 17 points on six of nine shooting including five of seven from behind the arc. The Denver native also pulled down six rebounds. Junior guard Kyle Trewhella was next with 14 points including three triples with senior Dan Aultman adding nine points and senior guard Josh Vriesman eight points.
Calvin shot 48.3 percent overall including 51.6 percent in the first half. Adrian (11-7 overall, 5-3 MIAA) was led in defeat by Adam Novak's 10-point, six rebound effort. Calvin also held a 44-37 rebounding edge over Adrian including 35 defensive boards.
With the win, Calvin also reached the 15-win plateau for the 21st straight year.