GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (Nov. 21) – A big night from junior guard B.J. Durham wasn't enough to carry the Waynesburg University men's basketball team past national powerhouse Calvin University on Friday night. The sharp-shooting standout poured in a game-high 30 points, but the sixth-ranked Knights controlled the second half en route to an 89-70 win over the Yellow Jackets. The game was played on night one of the Great Lakes Challenge.
 
Calvin (2-0) was able to build a slim 41-37 lead at halftime, which was quickly cut down to a single point after Durham knocked down a three-pointer on the first shot of the second period. After the Knights went up by three points on a basket during the ensuing possession, Waynesburg (0-3) tied the score at 43-43 on a rare three-pointer by standout post player Jason Propst.
 
The exciting start to the second half continued with a Knight hoop on their next trip down the court. However, the Jackets were ready with a response of back-to-back hoops to take the lead. Senior Kenny Klase knocked down a two-pointer to pull his team to within a point at 46-45. After Calvin failed to score on its next possession, The Jackets moved ahead 48-46 on another Durham trey.
 
The Knights retook the lead at 50-48 on back-to-back baskets, but momentum swung back to the visitors when Propst completed an old-fashioned three-point play just over four minutes into the second half to make the score 51-50 Jackets. Unfortunately, Propst's successful free throw attempt marked the final time in the contest that Waynesburg held the lead.
 
A 7-0 run allowed Calvin to take a 57-51 advantage with 13:27 left to play. After Durham connected from downtown to make the score 57-54, the Knights went off on a 13-4 surge that ran their advantage to 70-58 with 8:31 showing on the clock. The host squad never trailed by less than 10 points over the remainder of the contest.
 
As previously mentioned, Durham led the Jacket offense with a contest-best and personal-high 30 points. He hit on 11-of-17 field goal attempts, including an efficient six-of-10 from three-point range. Propst reached double digits with 10 points and added a team-best five rebounds.
 
The Jackets were out-rebounded by a sizeable 39-to-28 margin, but bested a much larger Knights squad on the offensive boards (14-to-nine). Waynesburg also forced Calvin into 17 turnovers, while giving up just 14 of its own.
 
Waynesburg returns to action on Saturday at the Great Lakes Challenge with a 1 p.m. matchup against Alma.