Men’s basketball team falls to No. 4 Hope, 75-61

Senior Gerald Dozie (Detroit/Southeastern) tallied his 11th double-double of the season, but the Olivet College men's basketball team suffered a 75-61 loss to Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) foe Hope College tonight at the DeVos Fieldhouse in Holland. Hope (19-1, 8-1 MIAA) entered the game ranked fourth in the latest d3hoops.com Top 25 poll.

Dozie was credited with a game-high 23 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Comets (6-14, 2-7 MIAA). He made nine-of-19 field goals and four-of-four free throws for his 23 points. Dozie's 14 rebounds included eight off the offensive glass. Senior Derek Kurtz (Hillsdale/Jonesville) joined him in double figures with 12 points.

The Flying Dutchmen took their first double digit lead of the game, 20-10, with 10:04 remaining before halftime. After Hope extended its lead to 17 points, Olivet came back to make the score, 38-28 at intermission. Early in the second half, the Comets cut their deficit to four points on three occasions. The last time was 44-40 at the 14:30 mark. The Dutchmen's biggest lead of the half was 18 points with 2:39 remaining in regulation.

Hope was led by Andy Phillips with a team-high 17 points and eight rebounds. Stephen Cramer chipped in with 14 points and Eric Voisin added 11 points.

Olivet travels to play Tri-State (Ind.) University Saturday, Feb. 4, at 3 p.m.