by Alan Babbitt

Sensational. Amazing. Remarkable. Use whatever adjective you can think of.

Evan Thomas was incredible for the Hope College men's basketball team in the second half at Adrian College on Wednesday.

The junior forward launched the Flying Dutchmen to a come-from-behind, 81-78 victory at Adrian College with a MVP-caliber performance after halftime that kept Hope tied atop the MIAA standings.

Thomas, pictured, scored 30 of his career-high 36 points during the second half. He didn't miss the foul line, including two game-clinching free throws with one second remaining.

"He defined determination and leadership in the second half," head coach Greg Mitchell said. "He was as good in the second half as any player I've ever coached."

Hope (11-5, 4-1 MIAA) needed every single point from Thomas to keep even with Albion College for first place. Trine University slipped out of a three-way tie for first place after losing to Alma College, 57-55, on Wednesday.

The Flying Dutchmen trailed 37-30 at halftime after struggling to shoot 33.3 percent from the field.

Thomas scored 13 of Hope's first 17 points in the second half, propelling the Flying Dutchmen to a 47-43 lead over a run of 4 minutes, 8 seconds. 

Hope never trailed again. Adrian (3-13, 2-3 MIAA) rallied but could only get as close as one point twice over the final 33 seconds.

"Our big emphasis was to try to get him touches," Mitchell said. "We hadn't shot the ball well, so we wanted to get the ball inside. Evan is a dual threat with his size and being a guard. He had some good looks early. He put us on his back. Thankfully, it worked for us."

Thomas was perfect at the free-throw line, sinking all 13 attempts for the game to equal Jim Vander Hill's 1961 team record for most free throws without a miss. Hope shot 87.1 percent from the line for the game (27-31), including 87.0 percent after halftime (20-23).

From the field, Thomas finished at 52.6 percent (10-19) for the game, including 75 percent from 3-point range (3-4).

With 30 second-half points, Thomas came within three points of equaling the team record shared by Floyd Brady during a 95-90 victory against Calvin in 1968 and Dan Shinabarger's 1970 effort during a 125-104 victory against Albion.

Thomas led three Flying Dutchmen in double figures. 

Senior forward Jeff Bikus (Hawthorn Hills, Illinois / Mundelein) and junior guard Clayton Dykhouse (Zeeland, Michigan / Zeeland East) chipped in 12 points apiece.

Senior forward Josh Lilja (Libertyville, Illinois / Libertyville) added eight points.

Sophomore Tanner Wiegerink (Holland, Michigan / West Ottawa) grabbed a team-high nine rebounds and scored four points. He helped secure the victory with a steal in front of the Adrian bench with seven seconds remaining and Hope holding a three-point lead.

Hope's next game is Saturday, Jan. 22, at 7:30 p.m. against Alma. It is Fan Appreciation Day.