A Charles Howell putback capped a decisive run for the Hope College men's basketball team shortly after halftime and helped propel the Flying Dutchmen into the outright MIAA lead.

Hope rallied for a 74-66 victory at Kalamazoo College after taking the lead for good on a 13-0 run over a three-minute span.

Coupled with Trine University's 88-68 home victory against Calvin University, Hope (10-6, 5-0 MIAA) seized sole possession of first place in the league standings.

The Flying Dutchmen sit one game ahead of Calvin, Trine and The University of Olivet heading into The Rivalry showdown against Calvin on Saturday, Jan. 24, at 7 p.m. at DeVos Fieldhouse. The 217th game in The Rivalry is expected to be sold out.

At Kalamazoo, Hope overcame a 38-35 halftime deficit. The Flying Dutchmen trailed 40-38 when senior guard Marcus Wourman (Lansing, Michigan / East Lansing) started a string of 13 consecutive points with a jumper at the 18:28 mark.

A dunk from junior forward Parker Hovey (Shelby, Michigan / Hart) 22 seconds later on a fast break following a steal by sophomore center Orion Yant (Zeeland, Michigan / Zeeland West) put the Orange and Blue ahead for good.

Two layups and a putback from Howell (Cadillac, Michigan / Cadillac) off the bench followed as Hope surged to a 51-40 lead five minutes into the second half.

Kalamazoo (3-13, 0-5 MIAA) battled back within two points with 1:40 remaining, but another Hovey dunk sparked a game-ending 8-0 run. Hovey finished with a game-high 23 points and six blocks.

Freshman guard Brendan Cargill (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Forest Hills Central) chipped in 13 points, while Yant added 10. Jackson Keefer led three Hornets in double figures with 15 points off the bench.