On a charged Wednesday night inside DeVos Fieldhouse, the Hope College men's basketball team delivered a wire-tight, cinematic finish in front of 1,074 fans, outlasting Trine University 82–80 in a thrilling MIAA opener.
With the victory, Hope moved to 6-6 overall and 1-0 in MIAA play, while Trine dropped to 8–4 overall and 0-1 in the league. Trine and Hope finished second and third in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll.
Junior Parker Hovey (Shelby, Michigan / Hart) and senior Justice Mims (Rochester Hills, Rochester Adams) topped the Flying Dutchmen with 21 and 19 points, respectively.
The finish delivered non-stop, back-and-forth action.
Trine overcame a 14-point deficit with 7 minutes, 47 seconds remaining to pull within two at 79-77 on a Logan McKenzie steal and layup with 1:09 left. After a Hope timeout, Mims buried a jumper in the paint to push the Flying Dutchmen's lead back to four.
Mitchell notes that Mims' performance against Trine was one of the best of his career.
"First of all, he had non-stop energy, and a lot more intelligent toughness tonight," Mitchell said. "I thought he had the right kind of focus and energy and really had a physical and emotional presence and that was a huge key to our game."
The Thunder's Jayden Bradshaw quickly answered with a layup, cutting their deficit back to two at 81-79. A missed layup as the shot clock wound down gave Trine a chance to tie or take the lead with 11 seconds remaining.
McKenzie was fouled after grabbing the rebound, sending to the free-throw line. He sank the first but missed the second. Cade Brenner grabbed the loose ball, but without a timeout, Trine scrambled for a game-winning shot.
Sophomore Charles Howell (Cadillac, Michigan / Cadillac HS) ripped the ball away for a clean steal, then found an open Brendan Cargill (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Forest Hills Central), who was immediately fouled.
"I have to give all kinds of credit to Charlie Howell for his last steal," Mitchell said. "[Jayden] Bradshaw got loose behind us, and Charlie made the play of the game."
Cargill sank one of his two attempts from the charity stripe with less than two seconds remaining. Hovey tipped the ball back to Wourman at mid-court and time ran out, snapping a four-game losing streak for Hope.
Hovey also finished with seven rebounds, four steals, three steals and two blocks.
Sophomore Orion Yant (Zeeland, Michigan / Zeeland West) delivered 13 points and seven rebounds.
Cargill chipped in nine points, Wourman eight.
Mitchell sent a special thank you to the Hope men's and women's swim and dive team after tonight's game.
"It really shows a lot about the Hope Athletics community, to have the whole swim team coming out and supporting, and being loud for us," Mitchell said. "To head coach Jake Taber and team, thank you."
Hope is back in action on Saturday, Jan. 10, at 3 p.m. at The University of Olivet.
