The men’s basketball team of Hope College experienced an exceptional Senior Day as they achieved a triumphant victory against Alma College. Prior to the game, the Flying Dutchmen honoured their six seniors in a display of impressive skill with a final score of 74-63 in favour of Hope at DeVos Fieldhouse.
Currently with an overall record of 17-6, Hope now holds a 9-3 MIAA record, placing them within two games of the league-leading Trine University. This triumph elevated the team to the third position in the MIAA standings, positioning them as contenders for a first-round bye alongside Trine and second-place Calvin University. As the regular season concludes in one week, the Flying Dutchmen are geared to take on Olivet and Albion College.
In light of this impressive victory, Hope has secured a position in the six-team MIAA tournament, marking their third consecutive win. Notably, the team showcased their strength and unity by having five of their six seniors start the game. It is unfortunate that senior Eli Schoonveld was unable to participate due to injuries.
Throughout the game, Hope took control with a 19-8 run over the final 7 ½ minutes of the first half, leading to a halftime score of 36-28 in their favour. Their domination persisted into the second half, with the Flying Dutchmen extending their lead to as much as 23 points.
TJ McKenzie proved to be the standout player for Hope, scoring a career-high and game-high 20 points. The forward’s exceptional performance, shooting 53.3% from the field and making 2-of-3 3-point attempts, played a pivotal role in the team’s success. Additionally, junior guard Josh Decker contributed 13 points off the bench, while Clayton Dykhouse added 11 points and junior center Gabe Quillan contributed nine points and a game-high eight rebounds.
Hope’s commendable performance was exemplified by their 48.2% field goal shooting, including an impressive 58.8% from 3-point range, which is a season-high for the team.
Greg Mitchell, the head coach, highlighted the team’s robust defensive identity, underscoring its significant contribution to their victory. “It was not a work of art offensively, but our identity is on defense […] guys were guarding hard,” remarked Coach Mitchell.
Alma College, with a 10-13 overall record and 4-8 MIAA record, was unable to match Hope’s performance and concluded with 42.6% field-goal shooting. This defeat placed the Scots in a fourth-place tie in the MIAA standings, with only three remaining berths in the MIAA Tournament.
All in all, it was a remarkable day for the Hope College men’s basketball team, and their victory against Alma College represents a significant milestone in their journey to the MIAA Tournament. Through their impressive performance, the Flying Dutchmen have solidified their position as a formidable presence in college basketball.