The nationally ranked Hope College men's basketball team opens up its RDV Sportsplex D3 Classic on Tuesday against Messiah, Pennsylvania.
The 8-1 Flying Dutchmen face Messiah, Pennsylvania at 7:30 p.m. at the former practice home of the NBA's Orlando Magic.
Hope tips off its fourth RDV Sportsplex D3Classic as the fourth-ranked team in the D3Hoops.com NCAA Division III rankings. The Flying Dutchmen are on a season-high, five-game win streak.
All-time, Hope has a 3-3 record at the RDV Sportsplex D3 Classic. The Flying Dutchmen won both games in their 2010 appearance, went 1-1 in 2007 and 0-2 in 2012.
In 2012, Hope lost to Mississippi College 83-72 and Illinois Wesleyan 68-67. Current senior forward Alex Eidson made the all-tournament team that season.
The Flying Dutchmen are playing Messiah for the first time ever.
Messiah (3-8) is coming off a 57-56 loss to Beloit, Wisconsin in Monday's RDV Sportsplex D3 Classic opener.
Guard Luke Cable led a balanced Messiah effort with 10 points.
Forward Jimmy Brackett chipped in nine points, while forward Logan Long and guard Neil Murren added eight points apiece.
On Wednesday, Hope will conclude the RDV Sportsplex D3 Classic against Beloit (4-6). The third meeting between the two teams will begin at 7:30 p.m. Beloit leads the series 2-0, with the last meeting in 1955.
Click here for the RDV Sportsplex D3 Classic history.
