by Alan Babbitt

It was a valiant Senior Day effort for the Hope College men's basketball team against a nationally ranked and unbeaten opponent.

The Flying Dutchmen went toe-to-toe with No. 3 Trine University before falling, 73-67, on Saturday at DeVos Fieldhouse.

The game was the regular-season home finale for Hope (4-4, 2-2 MIAA). 

"We put it all out there and played night-and-day from the last time we played them — which is really good. We flipped the script but didn't come out with the 'W'," senior forward Ryan Gamm said. "We are going to keep moving on. 

"It is emotional for sure, putting my life into basketball here. It has been adversity-filled. It has been a great four years (with the seniors), we have made it a brothership. We love each other."

Prior to the game, Gamm was honored along with five senior teammates — Danny Beckman, Preston Granger, Calvin Hackert, Jake Honer, and Sam Vree — and two assistant coaches — Kyle Grennes and Logan Housenga.

Trine won the first meeting, 91-52, on February 3 in Angola, Indiana. Saturday's game featured seven lead changes and six tie scores.

Hope's final lead came on a 3-pointer from junior forward Josh Lilja (Libertyville, Illinois/Libertyville HS) for a 56-55 lead with 7 minutes, 18 seconds remaining in the second half.

Trine (13-0, 4-0 MIAA) answered with a 12-2 run over the next four minutes.

The Flying Dutchmen rallied within three points twice over the final 1 ½ minutes but could not convert twice to pull any closer.

"We don't get to disappointment unless we invest, and our guys were invested and energized," head coach Greg Mitchell said. "We were ready and there were so many doggone plays that were close. It seemed like 50-50 plays didn't go our way.

"Our seniors brought a ton. They have been through a lot and keep clawing back. It hurts to lose on Senior Day, but today it felt like we were going to pull this sucker out. That is the belief in our guys. I know they are going to lead us to a great finish."

Junior guard Tyler George (Ada, Michigan/Forest Hills Central) led Hope with a season-high 22 points. It was his third 20-point game of the season. He made all six of his free-throw attempts, but the Flying Dutchmen shot 58.3 percent as a team from the line (14-24).

Junior guard Clayton Dykhouse (Zeeland, Michigan/Zeeland East) chipped in 11 points off the bench. 

Granger (Lansing, Michigan/Lansing Christian) added 10 points and a game-high nine rebounds. Hope outrebounded Trine by a 48-28 margin.

Brent Cox's 23 points and Nick Bowman's 21 fueled the Thunder.

The Flying Dutchmen are scheduled to conclude the regular season next week with road games at Adrian College on Thursday, February 25 at 7 p.m. and at Kalamazoo College on Saturday, February 27 at 2 p.m.

The MIAA Tournament is set to tip-off on Tuesday, March 2 with four first-round games