The Hope College men's basketball team nearly navigated Whitewater — and almost knocked off the sixth-ranked team in the nation — before getting turned over in the closing stretch.

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater rallied for a 79-76 victory at DeVos Fieldhouse on Wednesday by scoring the game's final nine points during the final 33 seconds.

Whitewater benefited from four Flying Dutchmen turnovers, the first three while trying to inbound the basketball after a made basket. The final turnover came in the offensive end when Whitewater's Miles Barnstable picked off Gabe Quillan's cross-court pass from in front of the Hope bench.

Barnstable, who finished with a game-high 35 points, was fouled and sank two game-sealing free throws. Clayton Dykhouse's desperation 3 from the wing hit off the iron, dropping the Flying Dutchmen to 4-1 on the season.

Whitewater improved to 6-1 overall after bouncing back from a 77-73 loss at Carthage College (Wis.) on Saturday that knocked the Warhawks from the No. 1 ranking in the D3hoops.com poll.

It was a tough way to lose, head coach Greg Mitchell said.

"You push it for 39 minutes and change and like everything about it because we were so tough. We won the battle of the glass. I thought we out-toughed them. We just didn't execute in late game," Mitchell said. "When you get turnovers in those situations, you don't ever get a chance to play defense. That's the part that makes it tough. I'm proud of how hard we prepared and how we played tough. It's all about the finish. We just did not finish. 

"I'm going to take the same responsibility as my guys. It doesn't hurt if you don't invest. I know our guys. I know they're going to respond. There's so much galvanizing and togetherness with these guys."

Hope won't have to wait long to play again. The Flying Dutchmen host another school from the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, on Saturday, Dec. 9, at 3 p.m. at DeVos Fieldhouse.

It is Team Poster Day. There will be a free poster giveaway and autograph signing afterward.

Against Whitewater, Hope led for 33 of 40 possible minutes, including for 7 ½ minutes down the stretch. The Flying Dutchmen turned a 55-51 deficit into a 68-58 lead in a span of 3 ½ minutes.

Barnstable fueled Whitewater's comeback, scoring 12 of his team's 16 points over the final 1:42.

Barnstable played all 40 minutes and finished shooting 100% from the foul line (11-11), 66.7% from 3-point range (4-6) and 55.5% from the field (10-18).

Forward James Kelley was the only other Warhawk in double figures with 13 points.

Hope nearly overcame committing a season-high 21 turnovers, shooting a season-worst 63.6% from the foul line, and sinking just 4-of-20 3-point attempts.

Quillan (Ada, Michigan / Grand Rapids Catholic Central HS) topped the Flying Dutchmen with 19 points.

Senior forward Tanner Wiegerink (Holland, Michigan / West Ottawa) posted 18 points and a team-best eight rebounds.

Senior guard Clayton Dykhouse (Zeeland, Michigan / Zeeland East) also scored in double figures with 17 points.