The Hope men's basketball team (23-7) succumbed to a late rally by Hanover Friday evening in the Sectional Semifinal of the 2017 NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Tournament at DeVos Fieldhouse, dropping a 79-77 contest to end their notable season.
On a pair of Cody Stuive free throws with 7:21 to go in the contest, Hope owned a 66-56 lead on the visiting Panthers. Hanover's Wes McKinney then scored 11 of the game's next 15 points to give Hanover a 69-68 lead with 3:47 to play.
Dante Hawkins, who finished with a team-best 28 points for Hope, came up with two key baskets, including a three-pointer with 1:47 to go to tie the game. Hope then built a two-point lead with a pair of free throws from Harrison Blackledge with 27 seconds to play.
Hanover (26-3) answered with a jumper with two seconds to play, but Hope's miscue on the ensuing inbounds play gave the ball back to the Panthers. Hanover proceeded to hit a 17-foot jumper as time expired for the win.
Along with Hawkins' 28 points, Blackledge added 20 points in the setback.
Tournament links
NCAA Division III Men's Basketball page
NCAA Division III Men's Basketball announcement
2017 NCAA Division III Men's Basketball interactive bracket
