A dramatic second-half turnaround propelled the sixth-ranked Hope College men's basketball team to a 90-79 win at Kalamazoo Wednesday and at least a share of the 38th Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association title in team history.
The Flying Dutchmen (22-2 overall, 12-1 MIAA) earned the league championship moments after walking off the court because Albion handed Alma its second league loss with a 71-66 victory at Albion.
Hope can claim the MIAA outright title Saturday by winning at Calvin. Tipoff is 3 p.m.
"It's a long grind. It's a balanced league," Hope coach Greg Mitchell said. "I'm proud of them, but we still want to keep playing better.
The Flying Dutchmen erupted for 66 second-half points to overcome a five-point halftime deficit. It was the most points Hope has totaled in a half this season.
Only five field-goal attempts were missed out of 26 second-half attempts for an 80.8 shooting percentage.
Senior guard Ben Gardner of Carmel, Indiana (Carmel HS) scored 19 of his game-high 23 points after halftime.
Junior guard Chad Carlson of Rockford, Michigan (Rockford HS) chipped in 17 points, including 15 during the second half.
Senior center Brock Benson of Willowbrook, Illinois (Hinsdale South HS) totaled 14 points, including 10 after halftime.
Two other Hope starters scored in double figures: junior forward Harrison Blackledge of Canton, Ohio (Hoover HS) with 11 points and sophomore guard Dante Hawkins of Holland, Michigan (Holland HS) with 10 points.
"Our coaches told us at halftime that we needed to bring more energy," Carlson said. "(Kalamazoo) was really killing us in the first half with their bigs getting so many offensive rebounds, but I feel like we really limited them in the second half. We just weren't making shots in the first half, but (in the second half) I was able to get open, my teammates kept finding me, and I was able to knock down some shots for us. I just hope I can keep building on this and we can get a win on Saturday."
The MIAA title is Mitchell's first as head coach of the Flying Dutchmen. He won two league championships as a player back in the 1980s.
"It's different because you witness so many guys who have invested so much," Mitchell said. "You get attached to all those guys rather than just yourself. It's a journey."