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#BeStrongBeTrue
Hope men's basketball bench erupts in excitement.
Lynne Powe
45
Olivet Olivet 2-10,0-1 Michigan Intercol. Ath. Assn.
77
Winner Hope Hope 6-6,1-0 Michigan Intercol. Ath. Assn.
Olivet Olivet
2-10,0-1 Michigan Intercol. Ath. Assn.
45
Final
77
Hope Hope
6-6,1-0 Michigan Intercol. Ath. Assn.
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Olivet Olivet 22 23 45
Hope Hope 40 37 77

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Alan Babbitt

Men's Basketball Stifles Olivet in MIAA Opener

The Hope College men's basketball team returned from an extended Christmas break last week with a few resolutions for the new year.

So far, so good for the Flying Dutchmen in 2025.

Hope delivered on both ends of the court, particularly defensively, on Wednesday and started MIAA play with a resounding 77-45 victory against The University of Olivet at DeVos Fieldhouse.

The Flying Dutchmen (6-6 overall) hadn't given that few points in an MIAA opener since a 40-28 victory against Adrian College during the 1950-51 season. Hope last held an opponent under 50 points in a league opener during the 2007-08 season during a 64-49 victory against Albion College.

Head coach Greg Mitchell expressed pride in how the Flying Dutchmen responded to the resumption of practice on Tuesday, Dec. 30, after a nine-day layoff.

"We weren't exactly thrilled about the first 11 games of the season. We tried to use that part of the season [to show] who we were in the moment and who we need to be," Mitchell said. "The buy-in the past week-and-a-half has been exceptional. The trust and the doubling down of who these guys are as a group, I think you saw a lot of joy, a lot of grit and a lot of toughness, which is exactly what we need to see. We have to be the best defensive team in the league if we're going to be the team that we need to be. I thought tonight that's who we were. I'm really proud of the effort."

Hope held Olivet (2-10, 0-1 MIAA) to one point over the final eight minutes of the first half. The Flying Dutchmen then turned a three-point lead (24-21) to an 18-point one at halftime (40-22).

The Comets committed 21 turnovers during the entire game and shot 34% from the field (18-53). Hope, meanwhile, had only 12 turnovers and shot 53% from the field in each half. 

Sophomore Parker Hovey (Shelby, Michigan / Hart HS) topped the Flying Dutchmen with a game-high 17 points on 75% field-goal shooting (6-8). The forward topped Hope in assists and steals with four apiece while also grabbing four rebounds.

Junior guard Marcus Wourman (East Lansing, Michigan / East Lansing) chipped in 14 points, three rebounds, two assists and two goals.

Thirteen different Flying Dutchmen scored points. Senior center Gabe Quillan (Ada, Michigan / Grand Rapids Catholic Central) contributed nine points and a game-high nine rebounds.

Senior guard Josh Decker (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio / Woodridge) and junior guard Justice Mims added eight points apiece.

Olivet received a team-high 13 points from guard Nathan Richardson.

Hope's next game is Saturday, Jan. 11, at 3 p.m. against Alma College at DeVos Fieldhouse. 
 
Gallery: (1-8-2025) Men's Basketball vs. Olivet

 
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