The Hope College men's basketball team closed a successful season with a 96-80 loss at top-ranked Augustana, Illinois on Saturday in the second round of the 2016 NCAA Division III Championship.
The ninth-ranked Flying Dutchmen ended the 2015-16 season with a 24-4 overall record and as regular-season Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association champions.
Hope coach Greg Mitchell said he is exceptionally proud of his players, including five seniors who played their final game: Brock Benson, Alex Eidson, Ben Gardner, Sam Otto and Stephen Wittenbach.
"Obviously disappointed with the result. Congratulations to an outstanding Augustana team, shot the ball exceptionally well," Mitchell said. "It's a hurting bunch right now. When you invest that much, and you believe, when it ends it's very, very difficult."
Augustana used 60.9 percent shooting from the field (28-of-46) and 85 percent free-show shooting (34-of-40) to win and advance to next week's sectional.
Augustana (28-1) opened the second half on a 10-0 run for the Flying Dutchmen's largest deficit of the game at 52-30.
Hope battled back over the next nine minutes to pull within five at 62-55 on a 3-pointer from junior guard Chad Carlson of Rockford, Michigan (Rockford HS) with 9:46 remaining.
Augustana, however, hit back with an 8-0 run to maintain control.
"I couldn't be more proud of our resiliency and toughness," Mitchell said. "There was never a moment we didn't believe and that's what we are all about. We're a team of guys that loves to play together and (not doing that is) the hardest part."
Sophomore guard Dante Hawkins of Holland, Michigan (Holland HS) led five Hope players in double figures with 20 points and four assists.
Junior forward Cody Stuive of Hudsonville, Michigan (Hudsonville HS) chipped in 16 points and a team-high six rebounds off the bench.
Gardner totaled 15 points. The senior guard from Carmel, Indiana (Carmel HS) finishes his playing career with 1,295 points – good for 17th place all-time among Flying Dutchmen players.
Carlson netted 14 points, including a team-high four 3-pointers.
Benson added 12 points. The senior from Willowbrook, Illinois (Hinsdale South HS) completes his playing career with 1,050 points – good for 32nd place all-time.
The Flying Dutchmen shot 40.6 percent from the field (26-64) and 87.5 percent from the foul line (21-24).