KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Jay Smith era is off to a good start.
The Kalamazoo College men's basketball team picked up a win in its season opener Friday evening inside Anderson Athletic Center defeating the visitors from Manchester University, 76-67, while never surrendering the lead throughout the contest.
The Hornets jumped out to a quick 8-3 lead much in part due to a couple layups from Chase Baysdell down on the block. Kalamazoo extended its lead to as large as eight in the first half, but the Spartans consistently battled back as they trailed just 39-36 at the break.
For just over the first eight minutes of the second half, the two teams traded baskets and the Spartans continued to trail by three, but an 11-0 run from Kalamazoo beginning at the 11:34 mark of the second half tilted the game in the Hornets' favor.
Roger Hood knocked down a three to begin the run and threw down a dunk in transition in the middle of it before Josh Miller and Adam Dykema each tacked on layups extending the Hornet lead to 14.
Manchester countered with a 10-0 run of its own but a Dykema 3-pointer stopped the run and ultimately the Spartans' belief of a comeback as the Hornets knocked down their free throws in the waning minutes.
Five different players scored in double figures for the Hornets with Tommy Cerven scoring a team-high 17. Dykema and Baysdell ended with 12 each while Hood recorded 11 and Miller 10.
Baysdell led the Hornets on the glass corralling 11 boards to complete his double-double.
The Hornets will look to complete a perfect weekend tomorrow night with another home game. Kalamazoo welcomes Anderson for a 7:30 p.m. tip.