Every game in the MIAA is a test, and the Hope College men’s basketball team has passed each one so far.
But the biggest challenge is next as Hope will host rival Calvin in a battle of MIAA unbeatens, with first place in the conference on the line.
After losing several tough non-conference games in a row, the Flying Dutchmen have found ways to win those close games in each MIAA showdown so far.
Hope defeated Kalamazoo 74-66 on Wednesday, Jan. 21, on the road after trailing at halftime. The Flying Dutchmen responded with a run early in the second half to take the lead and the win.
The Flying Dutchmen improved to 5-0 in the MIAA and 10-6 overall with Calvin looming in a showdown Saturday at DeVos Fieldhouse.
Brendan Cargill hit a 3-pointer to start the second half. Marcus Wourman tied the game 40-40 with a jumpshot. Then a steal by Orion Yant led to a fastbreak dunk by Parker Hovey, giving Hope the lead.
The Flying Dutchmen weren’t done.
Charles Howell scored three baskets and Wourman added another as Hope led 51-40 after the 13-0 run.
But the Hornets rallied back to tie on a putback by Lucas Hanifan with 9:23 to go in the second half behind a 17-4 run.
Hovey and Yant scored back-to-back baskets to return the lead to Hope.
Cargill hit a 3 to make it 66-61 with 3:32 to go, but again the Hornets pulled within 68-66.,
But Cargill threw up an alley-oop that Hovey slammed down to put the game away.
Hovey finished with 23 points, Cargill scored 19 and Yant chipped in 10.
Hope shared the ball well with Wourman tallying four assists and Justice Mims, Hovey and Cargill each dishing out three. Hovey had six blocks and five rebounds.
Jackson Keefer scored 15 points off the bench to lead the Hornets (3-14, 0-6 MIAA).
Hope women race past Hornets
The No. 9 Hope College women’s basketball team also faced Kalamazoo, winning 74-42 on Wednesday, Jan. 21.
Hope started strong with a 43-20 lead at halftime.
The Flying Dutch shot 69% in the second quarter to pull away. Hope improved to 15-2 and 8-1 in the MIAA with a Saturday matchup with Calvin looming.
Maddie Petroelje started the game with a 3. Leah Richards, Anna Richards and Sydney Vis each scored. Vis and Leah Richards continued to get baskets in the paint, while Terin Maynard, Josie DeSmit and Anna Richards scored from the outside.
Anna Richards had 15 points, Leach Richards had 12 and Petroelje had 11. The Richards sisters each grabbed seven rebounds. Vis and Anna Richards grabbed three steals.
Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Hope men’s basketball remains undefeated in MIAA with rival Calvin looming
Reporting by Dan D’Addona, Holland Sentinel / The Holland Sentinel
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