A jaw-dropping, senior-led beginning powered a most rewarding Senior Day victory for the Hope College men's basketball team.

The Flying Dutchmen rolled to an 81-56 victory against Albion College on Saturday after an all-senior starting lineup of Ben Wagar, Josh Decker, Zach Hawes, Gabe Quillan and fifth-year Eli Schoonveld combined to make their first five shots — all 3-pointers.

A 3 from the wing on the game's first possession from a nose-protecting masked Wagar started the fireworks. Decker, wearing a knee brace after battling through injuries himself, buried a 3 from the opposite wing on Hope's next possession.

The 6-7 Wagar, from the same spot as his first make, made it 9-2 Hope on the next trip up the floor. The 6-3 Decker then matched Wagar, putting the Flying Dutchmen up 12-5.

The 6-3 Hawes capped the lights-out start with his own wing 3, making it 15-7 Hope just 2 minutes, 39 seconds into the game. The team that went 2-of-17 from 3-point range during Wednesday's loss at The University of Olivet quickly erased that memory.

The Flying Dutchmen (14-11, 9-5 MIAA) never trailed against Albion. Later in the half, a highlight-reel, one-handed slam dunk later from Hawes punctuated a memorable afternoon in front of a DeVos Fieldhouse crowd of 2,057. 

"I wish I could do justice to it," head coach Greg Mitchell said of the sizzling start from a senior group who started together for the first time as a mix of starters and reserves. "It's the best part of coaching, without a doubt, to celebrate seniors. To not just celebrate them, but do it in that fashion, it couldn't be more perfect. The best part is that their teammates are happier for their seniors than they are for themselves."

Before the game, Decker, Hawes, Quillan, Wagar and student assistant coach Jaleel Williams were honored during a Senior Day ceremony.

Decker (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio / Woodridge HS), scored a game-high 15 points on five 3-pointers on 71.4% field-goal shooting (5-7, all from 3). The communication major recorded a season-high in field goals made.

Hawes (Laingsburg, Michigan / Laingsburg), finished with a career-high 14 points on 75% field-goal shooting (6-8). The communication major played a season-high 15 minutes.

The 6-9 Quillan, a business major from Ada, Michigan (Grand Rapids Catholic Central), chipped in 10 points and a team-high nine rebounds.

Wagar, a business major from Harbor Springs, Michigan (Petoskey), shot 100% from the field for a season-best nine points, all on 3-pointers.

The Flying Dutchmen finished with 11 3-pointers, one off their season-high.

The victory avenged a 76-74 loss at Albion on Jan. 29 and clinched third place outright in the MIAA standings. BJ Hunter topped Albion (10-15, 5-9 MIAA) with 11 points.

Hope will host an MIAA Tournament quarterfinal on Wednesday, Feb. 26, at 7 p.m. against Adrian College.

The Flying Dutchmen have won the past three MIAA Tournaments and earned the league's automatic berth to the NCAA Division III Tournament.

The MIAA field is scheduled to be announced on Sunday, Feb. 23.