The third-ranked Hope College men's basketball team never trailed en route to a 79-64 win at Olivet on Saturday.

The Flying Dutchmen improved to 12-1 overall and 2-0 in Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association after extending their win streak to nine games.

The backcourt of senior guard Ben Gardner of Carmel, Indiana and sophomore guard Dante Hawkins of Holland, Michigan (Holland HS) propelled Hope by scoring 16 points apiece.

Senior guard Alex Eidson of Grand Haven, Michigan (Grand Haven HS) chipped in 11 points off the bench.

The score was tied once at 3-3 for a span of 54 seconds before Hawkins broke it for good with a layup.

Eidson totaled a team-high eight points during the opening minutes to help the Flying Dutchmen charge to a 43-21 halftime lead. Gardner netted seven in the stretch.

Hawkins scored 10 of his points after halftime.

All 14 Hope players recorded at least nine minutes of playing time. Twelve of them had at least two points.

Hope returns to action on Wednesday, Jan. 13 at Alma.