A fast start and clutch free-throw shooting propelled the Hope College men's basketball team to a successful first road game of the season.

Playing away after seven games at the friendly confines of DeVos Fieldhouse, the Flying Dutchmen earned a 73-65 victory at North Central College (Ill.) on Wednesday near Chicago.

Hope improved to 6-2 overall after never trailing following a game-opening 10-0 run. The Flying Dutchmen shot a season-best 96% from the free-throw line (24-of-25) against their College Conference of Illinois-Wisconsin opponent.

"The whole first half, the balanced attack and defensive engagement was outstanding. Everyone who stopped on the floor made a difference," head coach Greg Mitchell said. "The free throws were huge. We were not seeing the ball go into the basket as much in the second half as the first. Thankfully, we went 24-of-25 at the line. We needed every one of them."

North Central (3-8) trimmed Hope's lead to 67-61 on a Brian Johnson 3-pointer with 1:40 remaining. 

The Cardinals quickly fouled Hope, but over the next three possessions, the Flying Dutchmen buried all six of their attempts at the foul line behind two makes from guard Marcus Wourman and four from guard Clayton Dykhouse.

Wourman (East Lansing, Michigan / East Lansing HS) topped the Flying Dutchmen with a career-high 20 points.

The sophomore went a team-best 7-of-7 from the foul line and 54.5% from the field (6-11).

Wourman also recorded a team-best three steals along with two rebounds and one assist.

Three of Wourman's teammates also scored in double figures.

Sophomore guard Justice Mims (Rochester Hills, Michigan / Rochester Adams) scored all 13 of his points during the opening 20 minutes and helped Hope race to a 46-28 halftime lead. 

Adams returned to the court after illness sidelined him for a week.

The Flying Dutchmen shot 55.2% from the field during the first half.

Dykhouse (Zeeland, Michigan / Zeeland East) chipped in 12 points and a team-best three assists. The senior made all six of his free-throw attempts for the game.

Junior center Gabe Quillan battled through early foul trouble to record his fifth double-season with 10 points and 11 rebounds.

North Central's top scorer was Tyler Swierczek with 15 points. 

Hope's two-game stop in the Windy City continues on Thursday, Dec. 21, at 7 p.m. Central at North Park University.