by Alan Babbitt

The Hope College men's basketball team slipped into a first-place tie in the MIAA standings after a 75-68 loss to Albion College on Saturday at DeVos Fieldhouse.

Despite a game-high 23 points from Evan Thomas and a career-high 20-points from Jeff Bikus, the Flying Dutchmen suffered their first loss in four league games. Hope shares first place with Albion and Trine University.

"I'm not going to overthink. We lost to a very good team with a lot of experience in these types of situations. We talked about how we've got to make shots, the ball's got to go through the hoop. If we get those kinds of looks, we've got to find a way. 

"We'll learn from it. We'll push forward. It doesn't take away from what we accomplished this week."

Playing a rare three times in a week — and against three fellow MIAA title contenders — the Flying Dutchmen earned two wins, including one on the road. Hope played without three starters against Trine and without two against Calvin University and Albion.

The loss to Albion snapped a season-high, six-game winning streak.

Hope (10-5 overall) struggled from the floor, finishing a season-low 30.4 percent from the floor (21-of-69), including 22.9 percent during the second half.

Trailing by 11 points with 10 minutes, 18 seconds remaining, the Flying Dutchmen cut the lead to 63-60 with a 10-2 run over the next four minutes capped from two free throws from Thomas (Okemos, Michigan / Okemos HS).

Blocked shots from Eli Schoonveld (Zeeland, Michigan / Holland Christian) and Jaxon Halbert (Saugatuck, Michigan / Holland Christian) over the next two minutes each gave Hope possessions trailing with three-point deficits. Hope failed to convert on either one and never pulled closer.

Thomas scored 18 of his 23 points after halftime. Bikus (Hawthorn Hills, Indiana / Mundelein) collected all 20 of his points during the first half.

Three Britons finished in double figures: forward Ken Thomas with 22 points off the bench, forward Justin McAbee with 17 photos, and guard Cortez Garland with 15 points. 

Albion (7-8) outscored the Flying Dutchmen, 48-24, in the point.

Hope's next game is Wednesday, Jan. 19, at 8 p.m. at Adrian College.