Holland, Mich.– The Wheaton College men's basketball team fell victim to a buzzer-beating three-pointer as Hope College prevailed 76-75 on Saturday afternoon.
The Thunder (2-1) absorbed their first loss of the season, while the Flying Dutchmen improve to 2-2.
A back-and-forth start to the game meant no big advantage to either side. The two teams were within one point of each other eight minutes into the contest. Wheaton proceeded to score nine-straight points to seize the lead at 20-12, with Kyle Neibch contributing a trey and a layup during that run.
Hope would not let the deficit expand, however, and got within two points with three minutes left in the half at 31-29. Neibch immediately cashed in from long range to put the visitors back ahead by five. Carson Grier would put up the final points of the half with a jumper and Wheaton headed into the break with a 36-31 advantage. Grier played a large role in keeping the Thunder ahead – the 6-foot-8 freshman tallied 16 points in the first half, with the majority coming in the paint.
The home side remained undeterred. Hope would briefly regain the lead at 40-38 less than four minutes into the second half. It was a one-point game midway through the period when Reid Olson canned a pair of three-pointers to put Wheaton up 56-52.
The Thunder took their largest lead at 68-56 thanks to an and-one layup by Devin Martin with just under five minutes remaining. But the Flying Dutchmen began to mount their comeback from there, scoring on seven of their next eight possessions.
Hope drained a three to draw within one point at 74-73. The home team had a chance to take the lead with five seconds left, but missed a jumper that Wheaton rebounded. The visitors hit 1 of 2 free throws on the other end to make it 75-73. Unfortunately, Hope still had time for one last shot and they converted a three-pointer as time expired to steal the game.
Grier was the top producer all afternoon, posting 24 points and 12 rebounds for a double-double on 12-for-20 shooting. Martin was next on the scoring chart with 15 points and five assists. Soren Richardson tallied 10 points and four rebounds. Kyan VanderWoude added eight points and nine rebounds.
In the final stats, Wheaton shot 40 percent from the field (28-70), 26.3 percent from three-point range (5-19) and 70 percent from the free throw line (14-20). Hope made 47.6 percent of its field goals (30-63), 33.3 percent of its three-pointers (5-15) and 73.3 percent of its free throws (11-15).
The Thunder held sway on the boards by a 43-38 margin and committed two fewer turnovers (11-9). The Flying Dutchmen led points in the paint, 46-38.
Wheaton's next contest will be at home inside King Arena against Benedictine University on Tuesday, Nov. 18. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
