by Alan Babbitt
An assertive Clayton Dykhouse put the night in motion for the Hope College men's basketball team.
A milestone-setting Evan Thomas joined his teammate in launching the Flying Dutchmen to a 94-82 victory against Albion College on Friday in the semifinals of the MIAA Tournament at DeVos Fieldhouse.
Behind its two All-MIAA first-team selections, top-seeded Hope (21-6) advanced to host second-seeded Calvin University in the championship game. Tipoff is 7 p.m. at DeVos Fieldhouse; doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in advance on the MIAA website.
The winner of the 207th game in The Rivalry claims the MIAA's automatic bid for the NCAA Division III Tournament. The loser will be considered for a Pool C at-large berth.
"We're excited to get into the national tournament. We're excited to win a championship. We're 40 minutes from both," head coach Greg Mitchell said. "These guys are focused and ready to go."
Thomas and Dykkhouse, pictured above from left, combined for 58 points against fourth-seeded Albion (15-13).
"I am proud of Evan and Clay for leading the change," Mitchell said.
Thomas (Okemos, Michigan / Okemos) chipped in 27 points. The junior guard and MIAA MVP became the 43rd Flying Dutchman to reach 1,000 career points with his final two points — a pair of free throws with 43 seconds remaining.
"Only a junior, and then a half of a season with COVID (as a sophomore), it's pretty remarkable when you think about it," Mitchell said of Thomas's feat in 63 games. "As good as he is as a scorer, he's a much, much better teammate. He's so cerebral. He's such a leader. I think our guys are happier for him than he is. He defines humility. I'm super happy."
Dykhouse (Zeeland, Michigan / Zeeland East HS) finished with a career-high 31, topping his previous best of 28 at Albion earlier this season. The junior guard shot 70 percent from the floor (7-10), including 75 percent from 3-point range (6-8). Dykhouse also went 91.7 percent at the foul line (11-120.
In the first half, Dykhouse sank his first four 3-pointers and all five of his shots from the floor.. Hope only trailed briefly. Three Dykhouse 3s in the first 5:20 propelled the Flying Dutchmen to a 15-7 lead.
Hope led, 46-28, at halftime. Senior forward Jeff Bikus (Hawthorn Hills, Illinois / Mundelein) scored 10 of 13 points during the first half.
"He just gave everybody confidence. I think that makes a big difference," Mitchell said of Dykhouse. "Shooting is contagious. He was really locked in and comfortable. We've been challenging him to be ready to shoot. He's an outstanding shooter. He just needs to take his opportunities more frequently."
Thomas and Dykhouse each scored 17 points in the second half to allow Hope to withstand a determined Britons charge.
Albion scored 54 second-half points. Guard Cortez Garland led the Britons with 24 of his 29 points.
"It's such a good team. Coach Jody May's teams never quit. They attack the rim," Mitchell said. "I was super proud of how locked in we were defensively. We defended them as well as we could. I think when you're down and you don't want your season to end, you go into another gear; I thought that's what they did. We weren't savvy enough to be as solid as we were in the first half. Forty minutes is a long time."
In Friday's other semifinal, Calvin defeated third-seeded Trine University, 75-54, at home.
This is Hope's 20th appearance in an MIAA Tournament final. The Flying Dutchmen are seeking their 14th tournament championship and first since 2018.