KALAMAZOO - The Kalamazoo College men's basketball team fell to Hope College 75-68 on Saturday. The Kalamazoo loss was the first at home this season and the first since a Jan. 3 loss at Hope. Kalamazoo, Hope, and Calvin are now in three-way tie for first place in the MIAA with 5-2 league records.
Kalamazoo controlled the game early and took a 37-29 lead into halftime. The second half was evenly matched as Hope chipped away, eventually pulling away in the final minutes of the game.
Hope shot 51.0 percent for the game, including 60.0 percent (15-25) in the second half. Kalamazoo shot 48.0 percent for the game. Kalamazoo was 6-of-18 from three-point range while Hope hit 6-of-17 three-pointers. Kalamazoo was 14-of-19 at the free throw line. Hope hit 19-of-27 at the line. Kalamazoo held a 31-27 rebounding edge. Kalamazoo committed 13 turnovers while Hope ended with nine.
Dirk Rhinehart led Kalamazoo with 16 points. Nate Troyer finished with eight points. Freshman Tony Wichmann turned in a solid performance with eight points and seven rebounds. Jevon Caldwell-Gross, Scott Montmorency, Kevin Baird, and Nathan Burns each finished with seven points.
Don Overbeek led Hope with 17 points, seven rebounds, and three blocked shots. Cody Fleming added 12 points and six rebounds. Gregory Immink scored 11 points off the bench to spark the Flying Dutchmen.
Kalamazoo (13-7/5-2 MIAA) travels to Calvin College on Wednesday and to Alma College on Saturday.
