Men’s basketball team drops 79-64 decision to No. 3 Hope

OLIVET, Mich. – The Olivet College men's basketball team dropped a 79-64 decision to Hope College this afternoon at The Cutler Event Center in Olivet. The Flying Dutch entered the game ranked No. 3 in this week's D3hoops.com Top 25 poll.

Hope built a 21-point lead, 43-21, at halftime behind 51.5 percent shooting from the floor. The Flying Dutch also made seven baskets from behind the three-point arc and 2-of-2 free throws. In the opening 20 minutes, the Comets turned the ball over 16 times and shot 38.1 percent, with three triples and a pair of free throws.

Olivet battled back in the second half and cut its deficit down to 14 points, 74-60, with 3:46 left in the game. Hope cooled off in the second 20 minutes, shooting 40.6 percent and only 7.7 percent on three-pointers. The Comets committed 11 miscues, while shooting at a 54.5 percent clip.

For Olivet, junior R.J. Haas shared game-high honors with a season-best 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting. Freshman Chase Brocker and junior Eric Ewing each scored 10 points. Ewing also grabbed a team-best seven rebounds. Freshman Jordan Ellis dished out a game-high six assists.

For the Flying Dutch, Ben Gardner and Dante Hawkins netted 16 points apiece. Alex Eidson chipped-in 11 points. Harrison Blackledge finished with nine points and team-high five rebounds.

The Comets welcome Calvin College to The Cutler Event Center for an 8 p.m. game next Wednesday night.