The Grinnell College men’s basketball team dominated Kalamazoo College 102-74 in a season opening win at Darby Gymnasium. It was the first time since the 2017-18 season that Grinnell men’s basketball has won their season opener.
Gabe Garcia `27 led the way with 25 points. Nick Courtney `26 was also in double figures with 10 points. Kai Te Huki `27 led the team with 5 assists.
Grinnell set the tone early after forcing a turnover just seven seconds into the game. In the first five minutes of play, Grinnell went on a 12-2 run, capped off by a Garcia three-pointer. With six minutes to play in the first half, Grinnell extended the lead to 20. But Kalamazoo ended the first half on a run, cutting the Grinnell lead to 53-40.
Grinnell’s defense picked up in the second half, holding Kalamazoo to a 38 percent field goal percentage. Grinnell’s offense did struggle in the second half, but their improvement from a 59 percent first half free throw percentage to 75 percent in the second half, along with tough defense, extended the lead.
In one electric moment in the second half, Tyler Copes `29 had two consecutive blocks. As a result, the 793-strong Darby Gym, with a full student section, gave the home team a standing ovation. Copes finished with eight blocks on the night, leading the team. Throughout the entire game, Grinnell forced 30 turnovers.
After the game, Head Coach David Arseneault Jr. credited the strong Darby crowd for Grinnell’s defense.
“Having a big home crowd makes all the difference in the world. Students, community members, faculty, staff, just so many people out to support. The defense feeds off that,” said Arseneault Jr.
Members of the crowd who spoke to The S&B said it was the team that brought them to the game.
“Our team is awesome,” said Collin Marshall `28. “It’s always fun to go to the basketball games.”
“The basketball team is really exciting to watch,” said Chris Brown `27. “I want to support my first-year roommate [Gabe Garcia].”
Grinnell’s defense felt the benefit of eight new first years. Along with leading the team in blocks, Copes also led the team with eight rebounds. Aidan Wiley `29 led the team with four of Grinnell’s 18 total steals.
Garcia said he was impressed with the Grinnell first years after the game, adding that they bring a new level of professionalism to the team.
“They don’t come in and make excuses. ‘Oh, I’m a first year, or this, that, and the other.’ They are always in the gym, they are always looking to get better, they are listening to us,” Garcia said.
Coach Arseneault Jr. also praised the first years. “They have just done a great job so far fitting in with the group and just playing hard.”
