The Hope College men's basketball team overcame an big second-half run by North Central College (Illinois), to defeat the Cardinals, 89-84, in overtime on Tuesday at the RDV Sportsplex Classic in Orlando, Florida.

Despite North Central's 17-0 run to start the second half, the Flying Dutchmen won their second game in a row and raised their record to 6-4 overall. North Centrall fell to 7-4 overall.

The tandem of juniors Evan Thomas  and Clayton Dykhouse helped Hope successfully tie the game after trailing 74-69 with just 44 seconds remaining in regulation. A Thomas three-point play with 27 seconds remaining a Dykhouse layup 15 seconds later the game to OT.

In overtime, sophomore Tanner Wiegerink gave the Flying Dutchmen the lead for good when he buried a 3-pointer from the top of the key 23 seconds into overtime. Hope outscored North Central, 15-10, during the extra five-minute period.

It was Hope's first overtime victory since a 98-96 victory at Alma College on Feb. 19, 2020. 

The Flying Dutch went to overtime for the second consecutive game at the RDV Sportsplex Classic. Hope defeated Carleton University (Minn.) in overtime, 94-88, on December 18, 2019. 

Thomas (Okemos, Michigan / Okemos HS), pictured, collected a team-high 22 points, while Dykhouse (Zeeland, Michigan / Zeeland East) chipped in 16.

Senior Jeff Bikus (Hawthorn Woods, Iliinois / Mundelein) scored 13 points for the Flying Dutchmen.

Junior TJ McKenzie netted a career-high 11 points off the bench.

The Flying Dutchmen attempted 40 3-pointers against North Central, the most in team history. The Flying Dutchmen surpassed the previous mark of 34 — set vs. Olivet College on February 3, 2016, and vs. Nebraska Wesleyan in the NCAA Tournament on March 14, 1997.

Hope overcame received 22 points from North Central's Matt Helwig and 20 from Ethan Helwig.

The Flying Dutchmen take on Central College (Iowa) on Wednesday, Dec. 29, at the RDV Sportsplex Classic finale with a 7 p.m. tipoff.