Men’s basketball team loses to Hope, 87-65

HOLLAND, Mich. – The Olivet College men's basketball team lost 87-65 to Hope College tonight at the DeVos Fieldhouse in Holland.

The Comets led 3-0 before the Flying Dutchmen went on a 10-0 run for a 10-3 lead at the 15:32 mark. Olivet slowly chipped away at their deficit and came back to tie the game at 22-22 with 8:30 left in the opening half. Hope responded with a 10-2 run for a 32-24 lead.

The Comets came back with five straight points to trim the Flying Dutchmen lead to three points, 32-29. Hope ended the first stanza on a 9-2 scoring spurt to take a 41-31 lead into the locker rooms. Olivet was not able to draw any closer in the second half, as the Flying Dutchmen led by as many as 32 points three times.

In defeat, sophomore Blake Krum (Schoolcraft) led the Comets with 23 points, which was one point shy of tying his career single-game scoring high. He made seven baskets, including three 3-pointers, and six-of-six free throws, to go along with three steals and three assists. Senior Dakotah Ellis (Birch Run) joined Krum in double figures with 13 points.

For Hope, Nate Snuggerud posted a team-high in points (23) and game-high in rebounds (11) for only his second double-double this season. Ben Gardner and Billy Seiler each scored 12 points.

Olivet will wrap-up its regular season Saturday when it plays a 3 p.m. game MIAA leader Calvin College.