The Hope College men's basketball team showed resolve throughout Wednesday night at DeVos Fieldhouse, rallying in both halves before ultimately falling 65–58 to North Central College (Ill.).

Hope moved to 5-3, while North Central is now 3-5 on the season. 

In the weather-induced makeup game, North Central built an early cushion, and the Flying Dutchmen responded later in the half with their best stretch of play.

Hope tightened defensively, limited second chances and began to find success attacking the paint. That effort sparked a steady climb back, as Hope erased a 14-point deficit and closed the half on a strong run to pull within 34–31 at the break.

The Cardinals, who earlier this season knocked off 10th-ranked Illinois Wesleyan Uniersity, pushed the lead back to double figures early in the second half Hope continued to grind. The Flying Dutchmen stayed competitive on the glass and generated offense in transition, setting the stage for another late push as the game moved into the fourth quarter.

Trailing late, Hope turned up the pressure once again. Defensive stops and timely baskets fueled a fourth-quarter comeback that cut the deficit to three points in the final minute. 

Despite the surge and multiple chances to draw even, North Central converted at the free-throw line down the stretch to hold off the Flying Dutchmen.

For Hope, junior Parker Hovey (Shelby, Michigan / Hart HS) led the way with 14 points, while freshman Brendan Cargill added 13. 

Seniors Justice Mims (Rochester Hills, Michigan / Rochester Adams) and Marcus Wourman (Lansing, Michigan / East Lansing( chipped in seven points apiece. 

On the boards, Hovey pulled down a team-high six rebounds, with sophomore Kyle Blauch (Boulder, Colorado / Boulder) and sophomore Charles Howell (Cadillac, Michigan / Cadillac) each collecting four.

The Flying Dutchmen rebound with the final game of the semester on Friday, December 19, when they host Wisconsin-Whitewater at 6 p.m. at DeVos Fieldhouse.