Hope College

A Stout opponent challenged the Hope College men's basketball team in Friday's season opener at DeVos Fieldhouse.
 
With contributions from veterans and newcomers, the Flying Dutchmen answered on both ends of the court to earn a 74-63 victory against the University of Wisconsin-Stout.
 
Freshman Marcus Wourman led three Hope players in double figures with 18 points off the bench
 
The guard from Lansing, Michigan (East Lansing HS) scored 16 points during the opening 20 minutes to help stake the Flying Dutchmen to a 42-35 halftime lead.
 
Junior forward Tanner Wiegerink (Holland, Michigan / West Ottawa) recorded a double-double with 17 points and a game-high 10 rebounds. Seven of his rebounds came on the offensive glass. Hope outrebounded Stout by a 51-31 margin.
 
Senior guard Clayton Dykhouse (Zeeland, Michigan / Zeeland East) chipped in 14 points and a game-high six assists for the Flying Dutchmen.
 
Head coach Greg Mitchell said the Orange and Blue did a good job of taking advantage of Stout's focus on senior guard Evan Thomas, the reigning MIAA MVP from Okemos, Michigan (Okemos).
 
Stout, which fell to 0-2, limited Thomas to five points and two assists. Thomas did grab nine rebounds, second only to Wiegerink.
 
"ET is going to get so much attention," Mitchell said. "He had six eyes and six hands on him in the lane. They did a great job on him, but that's going to open doors for somebody else."
 
Wourman sparked the Flying Dutchmen during the first half with 7-of-9 shooting from the field, including 2-of-4 from 3-point range.
 
The freshman excelled defensively after halftime, Mitchell said.
 
"Our guys know how good Marcus is, he's an elite player but a better teammate," Mitchell said. "I thought his best play tonight was his defensive engagement in the second half. He had a great offensive flurry, but when weneeded to wear them down on the other end of the floor, I thought he guarded well. He can do it at both ends."
 
Hope limited Stout to 28 points and 36.0-percent field-goals shooting after halftime. Guard Jackson Noll's 13 points topped the Blue Devils.
 
Mitchell praised Wiegerink as well. The 6-7 forward registered career-highs in points and rebounds.
 
"Tanner hit that big corner 3, but his offensive rebounding engagement was incredible," Mitchell said. "These guys get it. Tanner kept possessions alive and didn't take any possessions off. That is really encouraging."
 
Hope's next game is Saturday, Nov. 12, at 5 p.m. against third-ranked University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Oshkosh is coming off a 59-56 loss at Calvin University on Friday.