Head coach Greg Mitchell was too proud to be too disappointed.

His Hope College men's basketball team fell in double overtime, 87-83, at Albion College on Thursday in the MIAA Tournament semifinals and closed a season shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I've been coaching a long time, and this is the season-ending loss that I'm the least disappointed because I was so doggone proud of how hard we played," Mitchell said. "We took away their actions the best we could. I liked how we executed offensively. We just didn't quit."

The Flying Dutchmen finished the season with a 7-5 overall record. Albion (10-3) advanced to play top-seeded and unbeaten Trine University on Saturday, March 6 in the MIAA Tournament final.

The game was the longest for the Flying Dutchmen in MIAA Tournament play. It was also their first double-overtime game since an 88-83 victory against Wheaton College during the 2015-16 season.

Hope forced two overtime periods by converting on final possessions in both the waning seconds of regulation and the first five-minute overtime period. Albion had an opportunity to answer each time by missing a pair of 3-point attempts, resulting in double overtime.

Senior forward Ryan Gamm (Rockford, Michigan/Rockford HS) made a backdoor cut and turned a pass from sophomore guard Clayton Dykhouse (Zeeland, Michigan/Zeeland East) into a layup that tied the score at 62-62 with two seconds remaining in regulation.

In the first overtime, junior guard Tyler George (Ada, Michigan/Forest Hills Central) buried three free throws with one second remaining to even the score at 75-75. George, pictured, finished with a career-high and game-high 32 points.

Albion took the lead for good in the second overtime at 82-81 on a Cortez Garland 3-pointer with 1:12 remaining. 

Hope trailed, 85-83, with five seconds remaining when Dykhouse's layup attempt would not fall. Albion grabbed the loose ball. Forward Caden Ebeling, who led the Britons with 26 points, sank two free throws to seal the outcome.

"(Albion coach) Jody May and I were talking after the game. This is why we wanted to have a season, so guys could experience a big game like this," Mitchell said. "Both teams left everything out there. I'm disappointed we're not practicing Friday and playing on Saturday. But after all, we've been through, I'm incredibly proud of how they stayed with it and how hard they played tonight.

"No regrets. The way the guys handled the loss brought us closer together. These guys understand the value of being part of a close-knit team. It's been that way since the whole COVID thing started."

Senior forward Preston Granger (Lansing, Michigan/Lansing Christian) chipped in 23 points for the Flying Dutchmen. He moved into 15th place all-time with 1,360 career points. He passed Chip Henry (1,358 from 1981-85) and Bob Hendrickson (1,351 from 1951-55).

Hope's Single Season and Career Scoring Leaders

Gamm and sophomore forward Evan Thomas (Okemos, Michigan/Okemos) scored nine points apiece.