The Hope College Flying Dutchmen gave nationally ranked UW-Stevens Point a scare Saturday night before bowing to the Pointers, 82-74, before 2,271 fans at DeVos Fieldhouse.

 

The Pointers (5-1) came in ranked sixth nationally in NCAA Division III. The Flying Dutchmen slipped to 4-3.

 

In the first half, the teams exchanged the lead five times and were tied on seven occasions before the Flying Dutchmen, behind a flurry of unanswered baskets, built an eight-point halftime lead. Junior Riley Lewis (Williamston HS) scored seven straight points to take Hope from a 29-32 deficit to a 37-32 lead. Sophomore Bill Woodhams (Otsego HS) nailed a three-pointer to put Hope ahead 40-32 at the break. 

 

The Pointers whittled away at the Hope lead until the score was tied at 63-63 with 8:24 remaining. Hope's last lead was 67-65, but the visitors would out-score the Flying Dutchmen 17-9 down the stretch.

 

The difference came from outside shooting. After going just 1-for-4 from beyond the arc in the first half, the Pointers were 8-for-15 over the final 20 minutes led by senior Drew Fredrickson who finished 6-for-8 in treys.

 

"We just lost our offensive rhythm in the second half," summarized Hope coach Greg Mitchell.

 

Sophomore Preston Granger (Lansing Christian HS), pictured, led Hope with 18 points. Three other Flying Dutchmen scored in double figures -- senior Jason Beckman (Shelby HS) 16, Lewis 15 and senior Teddy Ray (Homestead, Ind. HS) 13.

 

Game-high scoring honors went to Stevens Point senior Canon O'Heron with 23 points while Fredrickson followed with 20.

 

Each team totaled 27 baskets and nine 3-pointers while Stevens Point held a 19-11 free throw advantage. 

 

The Flying Dutchmen remain at home when they host UW-Platteville on Saturday, Dec. 15.