Corey McMahon

The Hope men's basketball team lost to nationally ranked Wheaton, Ill., 80-61 on Friday in the first game of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association/College Conference of Illinois-Wisconsin Challenge.

The Flying Dutchmen complete the weekend tournament at Calvin at 1 p.m. Saturday when they play Carthage, Wis. Carthage (4-2) beat Calvin 74-68 in Friday's second game.

Junior guard Corey McMahon of Glenview, Ill. (Glenbrook South HS) topped Hope with 14 points off the bench. He shot 6-of-8 from the field, including 2-of-3 from 3-point range.

Senior center Nate VanArendonk of Grand Haven (Grand Haven HS) and sophomore center Brock Benson of Willowbrook, Ill. (Hinsdale South HS) each chipped 10 points apiece for the Flying Dutchmen.

Hope fell to 1-4 overall as it lost to a nationally ranked foe for the third time this season.

The Flying Dutchmen are now 9-10 all-time in MIAA/CCIW Challenge play.

No. 13 Wheaton received a game-high 20 points from senior guard Tyler Peters. He had 18 in the second half as the Thunder finished shooting 65.1 percent for the game (28-of-43).

The Flying Dutchmen struggled to 45.1 percent (23-of-51) and shot as many free throws as Wheaton (27 attempts to 14).

"To them be the credit. They were very, very good tonight," Hope coach Matt Neil said of the Thunder. "I think we can be a lot sharper in every facet of the game, and I think we will be.

"Tonight, they missed six second-half shots ... they were getting a lot of wide-open looks and layups. They were able to get virtually anything they wanted just because I think our intensity level on the defensive side was very inconsistent. We've got to play better together."