Thanks to two determined seniors and a timely assist from a rival, the Hope College men's basketball team is Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association champions for the 40th time in team history.
The Flying Dutchmen downed Albion College 85-77 Saturday on Senior Day at DeVos Fieldhouse behind 37 combined points from seniors Luke Dreyer of Zeeland, Michigan (Zeeland West) and Dante Hawkins of Holland, Michigan (Holland HS).
After the game ended, Hope learned Calvin beat visiting Olivet 95-88 in Grand Rapids and made the Flying Dutchmen MIAA co-champions with Olivet. It was Hope's third consecutive MIAA title and a league-best 40th overall.
"We feel very, very good today," head coach Greg Mitchell said. "When seniors play like these two guys did, it just makes it that much better."
Hope (16-9 overall, 10-4 MIAA) will be the No. 2 seed for next week's MIAA Tournament at Olivet. The Flying Dutchmen will face third-seeded Adrian Friday at 5 p.m. at Olivet.
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