The Hope College men's basketball team battled back from another first-half deficit before falling to Elmhurst College (Illinois), 71-66, on Wednesday night near Chicago.

Junior forward Parker Hovey (Hart, Michigan / Hart) recorded a double-double with a team-high 17 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Flying Dutchmen.

Senior guard Marcus Wourman (Lansing, Michigan / East Lansing) added 15 points, including 11 after halftime.

Two other Hope players scored in double figures: freshman guard Brandon Cargill (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Forest Hills Central) with 12 points and sophomore forward Kyle Blauch (Boulder, Colorado / Boulder) with 10.

Elmhurst (1-0) built a 39-29 halftime lead after sinking eight of its 10 3-pointers in the opening 20 minutes.

The Flying Dutchmen (1-2) rallied to take a 58-56 lead after a layup by senior guard Justice Mims (Rochester Hills, Michigan / Rochester Adams) capped an 11-0 run with 4:30 remaining. Mims finished with eight points.

Hope trimmed Elmhurst's lead to 62-61 with 1:30 left after a Hovey layup, but on the next possession, Luke Smith buried a 3-pointer to extend the Blue Jays' lead with 1:03 remaining. Elmhurst sealed the win by hitting 75% of its free throws (6 of 8).

The Flying Dutchmen return to action Saturday, Nov. 15, at 3 p.m. against Wheaton College (Illinois) at DeVos Fieldhouse.