by Mackenzie McMahon

The Hope College men's basketball team took down Wisconsin-Stevens Point in style at DeVos Fieldhouse, in their final home game of the semester. The 71-57 win put their record up to 5-4 before heading home on an 11-day break for the holiday. 

The Flying Dutchmen allowed just five free throws in the Pointers' favor, which helped them stay out of foul trouble and remain in command of the lead. Head coach Greg Mitchell thought his team defended the rim very well in the first half and throughout the remainder of the game. 

"We have so much respect for their style of play, but we knew we had to play with our feet and our chest, not our hands." 

Hope was led by junior Evan Thomas (Okemos, Michigan Okemos HS) with 16 points. Thomas made 6 of 9 field goal attempts, had a team-high nine rebounds, and made all four free throws when at the line. Senior Tyler George (Ada, Michigan / Forest Hills Central)  also collected 16 points for the Flying Dutchmen with four total rebounds in the team's fifth win of the season. Senior Jeff Bikus (Hawthorn Woods, Illinois / Mundelein) grabbed 12 points in the victory and also brought in four rebounds. 

Senior Joshua Lilja (Libertyville, Illinois / Libertyville), pictured, led Hope in steals (3) in the final home court appearance in 2021. 

"Josh had a heck of a first half, that is the best he's played in a Hope uniform," said Mitchell of Lilja. 

Hope College was sure to set the tone of the game, exactly how they knew they needed to, right out of the gate. Lilja stated that the big start to the game was huge, and a confidence booster for the whole team. 

"We had some trouble getting some shots to fall in previous games, and we knew that they were shorter and we could get to the paint and get some shots in", said Lilja.

The Flying Dutchmen take a short 11-day break for the holiday week, and return to the court on Wednesday, Dec. 28-29 when they will take on Central College (Iowa) and North Central College (Ill.) at the RDV Sports Plex in Orlando, Florida with a 7 p.m. tipoff.