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Hope College

Scoreboard

#BeStrongBeTrue
Simon Neuhaus dribbles a basketball.
Junebug Photography
Pictured, Simon Neuhaus
73
Winner Hope Hope 16-8,11-2 Michigan Intercol. Ath. Assn.
70
Albion Albion 13-11,6-7 Michigan Intercol. Ath. Assn.
Winner
Hope Hope
16-8,11-2 Michigan Intercol. Ath. Assn.
73
Final
70
Albion Albion
13-11,6-7 Michigan Intercol. Ath. Assn.
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Hope Hope 32 41 73
Albion Albion 40 30 70

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Alan Babbitt

Men's Basketball Fends Off Albion for MIAA Title Opportunity This Weekend

Hope remains tied with The University of Olivet with a game at Calvin remaining

A collective, determined effort earned the Hope College men's basketball team a come-from-behind 73-70 victory at Albion College on Wednesday — and much more.

The Flying Dutchmen head into the final game of the regular season this weekend tied for first place in the MIAA with an 11-2 league record, joining Olivet atop the standings.

Hope (16-8 overall) can clinch at least a share of the MIAA title with a victory at Calvin University on Saturday, Feb. 21, or an Olivet loss at third-place Trine University. The Flying Dutchmen also remain in contention for the top seed in next week's MIAA Tournament.

"We're thrilled to be in this position. It's a testament to our team's belief in each other and Hope Basketball," head coach Greg Mitchell said. "We've earned it, playing three games without our leading scorer and having different guys step up."

Hope showed its mettle at Albion's Kresge Gymnasium, rallying from a 40-32 halftime deficit despite shooting 58.1% from the foul line (18 of 31) during the game.

Five Flying Dutchmen scored in double figures, including three who chipped in 12 points apiece: senior guard Marcus Wourman (Lansing, Michigan/East Lansing), junior forward Parker Hovey (Shelby, Michigan/Hart) and sophomore forward Orion Yant (Zeeland, Michigan/Zeeland West). Hovey also dished out a season-high six assists.

Junior forward Simon Neuhaus (Grand Rapids, Michigan/East Grand Rapids) netted a season-high 11 points off the bench, capped by a corner 3-pointer in front of the Hope bench that extended the Flying Dutchmen's lead to 73-68 with 2:15 remaining.

Freshman guard Avery Sanchez (Turlock, California/John H. Pitman) added 10 points.

Senior guard Justice Mims (Rochester Hills, Michigan/Rochester Adams) scored eight points.

Mitchell credited defensive adjustments and execution for sparking the second-half rally.

"I thought the biggest part of our second half was our man-to-man defense. We were going man and zone during the first half and got too spread out," Mitchell said. "We guarded a little harder and a lot more disciplined. Despite our missed free throws and other things, our demeanor never changed. We handled the adversity with incredible maturity. It was a testament to our toughness and togetherness."

 
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