Evan Thomas and Gabe Quillan scored. Clayton Dykhouse delivered assists. Ben Wagar, making his first collegiate start, grabbed rebounds. They all played a little defense, too.

A team effort propelled the Hope College men's basketball team to a big rebound on Saturday as the Flying Dutchmen charged to a 91-67 win at Albion College. It was the 200th all-time meeting between the two teams.

The Flying Dutchmen (8-7 overall) remained in a third-place tie in the MIAA standings with a 2-2 league record. Six teams entered the day tied for third place, only Hope and Olivet College held their positions.

Head coach Greg Mitchell was proud of how his team responded to Wednesday's home loss to Calvin University. 

"Wednesday affected our guys. It was an inexcusable effort. The only acceptable response was to come here and do what we needed to do," Mitchell said after his team recorded Hope's largest victory at Albion in 36 years. "Engagement was great, our sense of help was really good in the first half. We shrunk the floor, which is really important because Albion has elite dribble-drive.

"Evan was Evan, which made a difference. Clayton was credited with nine assists to one turnover; He was really in control, which is a big thing for us. A special mention to Ben: nine points and six rebounds. He was on the glass. His length bothered people.

"Everyone played very hard," Mitchell said, "which you need when you come here and want to beat a team that plays very well at home."

Hope overcame two early five-point deficits to lead 42-28 at halftime. The Flying Dutchmen closed the final 3 minutes, 50 seconds of the first half on a 16-1 run.

Then, Hope scored the first five points of the second half in a span of 47 seconds. Albion (4-11, 1-3 MIAA) never got closer than 13 points.

Thomas (Okemos, Michigan / Okemos HS) scored a season-high 26 points on 53 percent shooting from the field (8-of-15) and 66.7 percent from the foul line (8-12).

Quillan (Ada, Michigan / Grand Rapids Catholic Central) contributed 20 points, a team-best nine rebounds and our assists.

Dykhouse (Zeeland, Michigan / Zeeland East) chipped in 12 points in addition to a career-high nine assists. 

Wagar (Harbor Springs, Michigan / Petoskey) registered career-highs with 21 minutes, nine points and six rebounds.

The Flying Dutchmen lead the all-time series with Albion, 136-64.

Albion's top scorer was Fred Garland with 27 points.

Hope returns to action on Wednesday, Jan. 18, at 8 p.m. when the Flying Dutchmen host Adrian College at DeVos Fieldhouse.