by Alan Babbitt

The Hope College men's basketball team dropped the opening game of the Washington University in St. Louis Lopota Classic, 84-61, to the University of St. Thomas (Texas) on Friday.

The Flying Dutchmen received a team-high 16 points from senior guard Tyler George and a career-high 11 points from sophomore Jaxon Halbert off the bench.

Hope (3-3) will play in the consolation game on Saturday, Dec. 4, at 1:30 p.m. Central against Hendrix College (Ark.), which lost to host WashU, 80-46, in Friday's second game.

St. Thomas (6-1) shot 62.3 percent from the field for the game (33-53). Guard Freddie Ricks III led four Celts in doubles figures with 19 points.

The Flying Dutchmen jumped out to a 6-2 lead in the first 1 minute, 25 seconds on two 3-pointers from George (Ada, Michigan / Forest Hills Central HS).

Two George free throws put Hope ahead, 17-16, with 12:10 remaining in the first half. 

St. Thomas seized control by going on a 14-1 run over the next five minutes. The Celts surged ahead, 46-28, by halftime.