Calvin defeated Aurora 69-68 [box]

Calvin Knocks Off the Host Spartans
AURORA, Ill. -- The Knights of Calvin College advanced to the 2007 NCAA Division III Championship second round with a 69-68 first round victory over Aurora University at Aurora's Thornton Gymnasium. Calvin becomes just the eighth team to win at AU’s Thornton Gymnasium since the 2000-2001 season. Calvin also won in the 2005 NCAA tournament at Aurora.

Calvin snapped the Spartans 14 game home win streak with a balanced attack in which three starters scored in double figures.

Calvin took a 44-29 lead into halftime behind a scorching start which saw the Knights go 9-16 (.563) from behind the three-point line. The Knights went on to shoot .367 percent from the field for the game, but balanced that by shooting 13-26 (.500) from three-point range.

Junior guard Derek Griffin led Calvin with 17 points and four rebounds.

Sophomore guard Caleb Veldhouse scored 16 points and grabbed two boards, while freshman forward Matt Veltema scored 11 points in the winning effort.

Aurora was led by senior guard Darrick Leonard, who had 21 points, all of which came in the second half. His effort inspired the Spartans to cut their 15 point halftime deficit into a nailbighter finish. Junior forward Larry Welton finished with 15 points and eight rebounds, while sophomore guard Dusty Magee added eight points and five rebounds. Junior big-man Mike Leonard also pulled down 11 rebounds in the losing effort.

Calvin improves its record to 19-9, while Aurora season concludes with a school record 25 wins (25-3). Calvin will take on Hope College in the second round of the 2007 NCAA Division III Championship tomorrow evening (Saturday, March 4) at 7:00 p.m. in AU’s Thornton Gymnasium. .

Courtesy of Aurora University, Sports Information Department, March 2, 2007.