Guard Ben Gardner scored four points in the final 11 seconds to lift the Hope men's basketball team to an 83-80 win at Thomas More College on Tuesday in Crestview Hills, Ky.

The Flying Dutchmen evened their overall record at 5-5 by winning both games at the Thomas More Coach Connor Classic.

"We're slowly maturing. That's terrific for our team," Hope coach Matt Neil said. "Good teams will find a way to win even when they're not playing well. Thomas More came out and played really well. I thought we found a way to win. That's to the credit of our guys."

Hope trailed 80-79 when Gardner, a sophomore from Carmel, Ind. (Carmel HS), began its comeback by swiping the ball from Thomas More's Chris Richard with 19 seconds remaining in regulation.

Gardner headed up court and made a short jumper eight seconds later for an 81-80 lead.

Sophomore forward Brock Benson of Willowbrook, Ill. (Hinsdale South HS, then stole the ball from Richard with three seconds remaining and got the ball to Gardner.

Gardner was fouled, then buried both free throws to push Hope's lead to 83-80. Thomas More missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

"I'm proud of our kids for how they hung together," Neil said.

Sophomore guard Alex Eidson of Grand Haven (Grand Haven HS) led the Flying Dutchmen by scoring 17 points.

Benson finished with 12 points and a game-high nine rebounds. Senior center Nate VanArendonk of Grand Haven (Grand Haven HS) also collected nine rebounds for Hope to go along with eight points.

Seven Hope players scored at least seven points against Thomas More (2-9).

Gardner totaled 10 points and seven rebounds. Senior forward Caleb Byers of Allegan (Allegan HS) added eight points for the Flying Dutchmen.

Junior guard Corey McMahon of Glenview, Ill. (Glenbrook South HS) and sophomore forward Sam Otto of Wheaton, Ill. (Wheaton North HS) chipped in seven points apiece for Hope.

Hope wraps up the nonleague portion of its season on Saturday, Jan. 4, when it hosts Edgewood, Wis., at DeVos Fieldhouse at 7 p.m.