by Alan Babbitt

Streaky Comets from Olivet College proved to be a problem early for the Hope College men's basketball team at DeVos Fieldhouse on Saturday.

The Flying Dutchmen became the more powerful force after halftime and earned a 95-62 victory in Hope's MIAA opener. It was the Flying Dutchmen's fourth consecutive victory, a season high.

Sparked by a significant rebounding edge, Hope outscored Olivet by a 52-23 margin during the second half. The Flying Dutchmen are now 8-4 overall.

"I thought our defensive engagement in the second half (was big)," head coach Greg Mitchell said. "We were plus-(22) on the boards in the second half. I don't think I've seen a team do that. It was terminating possessions. We got beat in transition, had a couple of lapses in the second half. For the most part, we made them go through us."

After yielding 50 percent field-goal shooting during the first half (16-32), Hope limited Olivet to 29.0 percent shooting after halftime (9-31), including 1-of-10 from 3-point range. The Flying Dutchmen outrebounded Olivet, 33-11, over a 20-minute span.

The 23 points is the fewest Hope has allowed in a second half in 12 games this season. 

Offensively, the Flying Dutchmen blasted off to their highest-scoring game and highest-scoring second half of the season. 

Eleven offensive rebounds and seven 3-pointers after halftime propelled Hope.

Guard Tyler George led four from Hope in double figures with 19 points. The senior from Ada, Michigan (Forest Hills Central HS) sank a season-high five 3-pointers in 11 attempts.

Forward Noah Hedrick, pictured, netted a career-high 16 points off the bench. The sophomore from Indianapolis, Indiana (Covenant Christian) had 10 second-half points.

Forward Evan Thomas recorded his second double-double of the season. The junior from Okemos, Michigan (Okemos finished with 15 points and a game-high 12 rebounds.

Guard Clayton Dykhouse chipped in 11 points. The junior from Zeeland, Michigan (Zeeland East HS) also grabbed a career-high 10 rebounds.

Olivet (4-9, 1-1 MIAA) was led by guard Derrick Johnson's 16 points. 

Hope's next game is Monday, January 10, against Trine University at DeVos Fieldhouse. Tipoff is 7 p.m. Both teams are tied for first atop the MIAA standings at 1-0.

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