Calvin (8-4 overall, 1-0 MIAA) overcame a 10-point deficit with just over 10 minutes remaining to gain the comeback win.
Trailing 59-49, Calvin mounted a second-half comeback with a 14-3 run capped off by a three-pointer by senior Kyle Trewhella that gave the Knights a 63-62 advantage with 6:02 remaining.
The lead then changed hands five times over the next four minutes with Calvin coming back to tie the score at 73 on a jumper by Trewhella with 1:51 remaining. Calvin had a chance to win in regulation but a shot by Trewhella in the closing seconds of regulation was blocked by Tri-State’s Derrick Graham.
In overtime, Tri-State (5-6 overall, 0-1 MIAA) took a brief 75-73 lead on a layup by Maurice Brookins but Calvin countered with a three-pointer by senior Andy Draayer to take a 76-75 lead and would never trail again.
Trewhella put Calvin up 78-75 with a layup off an inbounds pass with seconds left on the shot clock and followed with a pair of free throws to give the Knights an 80-75 lead. Freshman Caleb Veldhouse provided the clinching basket, nailing a three-pointer from the top of the key with under a minute to play that gave the Knights a commanding 83-75 lead.
Calvin led 34-32 at halftime but Tri-State connected on 10 triples in the second half to force the Knights to fight back.
“I thought we lacked energy for the most of the game,” said Vande Streek who is 10-0 in MIAA openers at the helm of the Knights. “We were fortunate that they (Tri-State) were missing some open looks in the first half. Once they started hitting in the second half, we had to dig down and to the credit of our guys, we did just that. I was very pleased with our effort in the final eight minutes of the second half and in overtime.”
Calvin played the game without starting center Josh Meckes who remained in Grand Rapids with the flu. Juniors Eric DeVries and Kyle Snoeyink stepped up in his place however as Snoeyink came up with a career-high 22 points on 9-of-12 shooting while DeVries had a career-high 11 points along with nine rebounds.
“Kyle and Eric really stepped up when we needed them to,” said Vande Streek. “Without Josh, we needed someone to take charge and both of those guys came through with some tough hoops, particularly in the second half.”
Draayer also had a good game with 13 points and eight boards while Trewhella had 12 points, four blocked shots and two steals and Veldhouse 10 points and four rebounds.
Tri-State was led in defeat by Andre Patrick who tossed in 18 points off the bench while Tony Benford and Micah Williams had 15 points apiece. Brookins chipped in with 11 points.
Calvin shot 51.7 percent overall and held a 45-41 rebounding edge. Tri-State came up with 18 offensive rebounds however and connected on 14 three-point shots to the eight triples of Calvin.
Calvin also struggled at the free throw line, connecting on just 60.0 percent (15-of-25) of its attempts but Tri-State also shot just 60.0 percent (9-of-15) at the line.
Calvin returns to action on Saturday night when it hosts Alma at 7:30 p.m. at the Calvin Fieldhouse.
Newspaper Box Score Calvin College vs Tri-State University 01/05/06 7:30 at Hershey Hall at Tri-State University At Hershey Hall at Tri-State University CALVIN COLLEGE 85, TRI-STATE UNIVERSITY 79 CALVIN COLLEGE (5-7,1-0) Kyle Snoeyink 9-12 4-6 22; Andy Draayer 3-9 4-6 13; Kyle Trewhella 4-8 3-3 12; Eric DeVries 5-9 1-3 11; Caleb Veldhouse 3-7 1-2 10; Micah Chappell 3-5 1-3 7; Dustin Smith 2-3 0-0 5; Tim Katt 1-1 0-0 2; Tyler Zoerhof 1-4 0-0 2; Patrick Duff 0-1 1-2 1; Kevin Prins 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 31-60 15-25 85. TRI-STATE UNIVERSITY (5-6,0-1) Andre Patrick 7-14 0-2 18; Tony Benford 4-14 4-6 15; Micah Williams 6-13 0-0 15; Maurice Brookins 4-11 1-2 11; Derrick Graham 3-6 0-0 8; Ryan Kinzie 2-7 0-0 4; Justin Guy 1-6 1-1 3; Jeigh Krupp 1-4 1-2 3; John Moore 0-1 2-2 2. Totals 28-76 9-15 79. Calvin College................ 34 39 12 - 85 Tri-State University.......... 32 41 6 - 79 3-point goals-Calvin College 8-15 (Caleb Veldhouse 3-4; Andy Draayer 3-6; Dustin Smith 1-2; Kyle Trewhella 1-2; Kevin Prins 0-1), Tri-State University 14-46 (Andre Patrick 4-8; Tony Benford 3-10; Micah Williams 3-6; Maurice Brookins 2-8; Derrick Graham 2-4; Jeigh Krupp 0-3; Justin Guy 0-3; Ryan Kinzie 0-4). Fouled out--Calvin College-None, Tri-State University-None. Rebounds-Calvin College 45 (Eric DeVries 9), Tri-State University 41 (Derrick Graham 7). Assists-Calvin College 14 (Eric DeVries 2; Tyler Zoerhof 2; Kyle Snoeyink 2; Kevin Prins 2; Micah Chappell 2; Caleb Veldhouse 2; Kyle Trewhella 2), Tri-State University 17 (Micah Williams 4; Tony Benford 4). Total fouls-Calvin College 13, Tri-State University 19. A-100