by Alan Babbitt

The start of an action-packed, championship-pursuing week for the Hope College men's basketball team began on a winning note.

The Flying Dutchmen traveled to Kalamazoo College for the first of three games this week and fended off the pesky Hornets, 85-79.

Hope moved into a first-place tie in the MIAA standings, setting up the latest showdown in The Rivalry on Wednesday, Feb. 16, at 8 p.m. against Calvin University at DeVos Fieldhouse. 

The winner clinches a share of the MIAA regular-season championship. Both teams are 17-6 overall and 10-2 in league play.

Head coach Greg Mitchell was proud of his team's effort facing a challenging opponent and the Flying Dutchmen's second game in three days.

"No day for prep because we played on a Monday, and Coach (Nick) Giard's actions are tough to guard. I thought Kalamazoo shot it well," Mitchell said. "I'm thrilled getting the win. We're a team that grinds; that's who we are. It's not always pretty. Sometimes, it's abstract. But we grind. We find ways to win."

Monday's victory took the second-best shooting from the field for the season (54.4 percent) and five double-digit scorers.

The MIAA's leading scorer, guard Evan Thomas, pictured, delivered a team-high 22 points. The junior from Okemos, Michigan (Okemos HS) also registered eight rebounds and four assists.

Point guard Clayton Dykhouse chipped in 19 points and five assists. The junior from Zeeland, Michigan (Zeeland East) scored 14 first-half points that allowed Hope to cling to a 39-38 halftime lead.

Senior forward Joshua Lilja and senior guard Tyler George contributed 12 points apiece. It was a career-high for Lilja (Libertyville, Illinois / Libertyville). It was the third game in double figures for George (Ada, Michigan / Forest Hills Central) since returning from injury.

Senior forward Jeff Bikus (Hawthorn Hills, Illinois / Mundelein) added 11 points.

The two teams combined for 23 3-pointers. Hope's 12 3s were the Flying Dutchmen's third-highest total of the season.

A 12-3 run early in the second half propelled Hope to a 56-44 lead. Kalamazoo (5-17, 2-9 MIAA) rallied with two points with 6 ⅓ minutes remaining when 3s from George on consecutive possession extended the Flying Dutchmen's lead to six.

Josh Decker's 24 points topped Kalamazoo.