The Hope College men's basketball team pushed top-ranked Wisconsin-Whitewater to the limit Tuesday night before falling 82-80 in the Flying Dutchmen's first regular-season game.

Hope put five players in double figures, including four starters. Two starters netted 15 points apiece for the Flying Dutchmen: junior guard Alex Eidson of Grand Haven, Michigan (Grand Haven HS), and sophomore forward Harrison Blackledge of Canton, Ohio (Hoover HS).

Blackledge surpassed his previous career-high of 13 points. He also grabbed a game-high nine rebounds — one short of his career high.

Hope also received 12 points apiece from junior center Brock Benson of Willowbrook, Illinois (Hinsdale South HS), and junior guard Ben Gardner of Carmel, Indiana (Carmel HS).

Sophomore Keith Brushwyler of St. Joseph, Michigan (Stevensville-Lakeshore HS), chipped in 10 points and seven rebounds off the bench. Both are career-highs.

Two Brushwyler free throws with 3:37 remaining gave Hope its final lead against the 2014 NCAA Division III national champions at 74-72.

Whitewater (1-1) went ahead for good on Drew Bryson's 3-pointer with 2:06 remaining. 

"There were a couple of plays that really could have put them in a position where they are uncomfortable rather than a one-possession game late," Hope coach Greg Mitchell said. "We're too good of a team and a program to say moral victories are something. But these guys have to hold their heads up because we played a very good program, and we were right there."

Hope returns to action on Saturday, Nov. 22, when the Flying Dutchmen host Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Tipoff is 7:30 p.m. at DeVos Fieldhouse.