The Hope College men's basketball team clamped down defensively in the second half to earn a 77-64 win against Cornerstone on Friday at the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame Classic.

The Flying Dutchmen gave coach Greg Mitchell, pictured, his first win as Hope's head coach while improving to 1-2 on the season.

Hope will play Classic host Aquinas at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 29.

Junior guard Ben Gardner of Carmel, Indiana (Carmel HS), scored a team-high 16 points to lead the Flying Dutchmen against the 11th-ranked team in NAIA Division 2.

Hope outscored Cornerstone (6-3) by a 42-25 margin during the second half.

The Flying Dutchmen limited Cornerstone to 33.3 percent from the field (8-of-24), including 20 percent from 3-point range (2-of-10).

Hope had four players score in double figures.

Sophomore guard Chad Carlson of Rockford, Michigan (Rockford HS), netted 13 points in his first start of the season.

Junior guard Alex Eidson of Grand Haven, Michigan (Grand Haven HS), chipped in 10 points. 

Junior guard Stephen Wittenbach of Grand Rapids, Michigan (Forest Hills Central HS), added 10 points off the bench.

Aquinas (5-4) lost to Calvin on 73-64 on Friday.