by Alan Babbitt

Evan Thomas banked in a left-handed layup in the closing seconds to give the Hope College men's basketball team a one-point halftime lead at Benedictine University (Illinois).

The junior was just getting started.

Thomas powered the Flying Dutchmen to a 72-63 non-league victory in Lisle, Illinois, by scoring 20 of his game-high 26 points during the second half.

The forward from Okemos, Michigan (Okemos) sank a career-high 14 free throws in 15 attempts, including 12-of-13 after halftime.

The 14 free throws are the most by a Hope player since Jason Beckman made 15 during a 78-71 victory against Wisconsin-Platteville on December 15, 2018, at DeVos Fieldhouse.

Thomas, pictured left, also topped the Flying Dutchmen (2-1 overall) with nine rebounds.

Head coach Greg Mitchell said Thomas responded to his coach's urge to play with more toughness.

"We challenged him to get to the hoop and finish through contact, get to the line and knock them down," Mitchell said. "To me, that's a sign of a great player. He was tough. He's a special player who needs to be that special for us."

Hope outscored Benedictine (1-3) by a 38-30 margin after halftime.

The Flying Dutchmen never trailed after opening the second half on a 10-2 run that covered 2 minutes, 50 seconds. A Thomas jumper started the decisive stretch.

Guard Tyler George (Ada, Michigan / Forest Hills Central) capped the run with one of his three 3-pointers. The senior finished with 16 points.

Senior forward Jeff Bikus (Hawthorn Hills, Illinois / Mundelein added scored in double figures with 11 points. 

Forward Marvin Agwomoh's 21 points led Benedictine.

Hope shot 91.7 percent from the foul line (22-of-24) compared to Benedictine's 52.4-percent clip (11-of-21). That helped the Flying Dutchmen overcome 19.0 percent from 3-point range (4-21) and yielding Benedictine 17 offensive rebounds.

"This win validated a really good week of practice," Mitchell said. "This week was the first time we felt our energy and focus was where it needed to be. It translated on the defensive end especially. We also got some really good play in the post from Tanner Wiegerink and Jeff Bikus and Devin Cheaney off the bench."

Hope's next games are Friday-Saturday, Nov. 26-27, when the Flying Dutchmen host the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame Classic at DeVos Fieldhouse that features Aquinas College, Calvin University, and Cornerstone University. Hope will play at 8 p.m. each night. 

Tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for children and can be purchased in advance and at the door.