The team's 19th victory of the season puts the Flying Dutchmen at 8-2 in the MIAA half-a-game ahead of Calvin (8-3) and a game ahead of Albion (7-3). Hope travels to Calvin next Wednesday seeking to clinch at least a share of a league-record 32nd MIAA championship.
Hope never trailed in the game, but it wasn't until the final five minutes that victory seemed assured. Three different times the Flying Dutchmen saw a double-digit lead evaporate. The last came with 12 minutes left to play as the Comets crept within a point, 46-45. Daane Griffith's fifth three-pointer of the game turned the momentum back to Hope who built the lead to 58-46 over the next four minutes.
Griffith finished with 21 points behind six treys. Adding 15 points each were Greg Immink and Travis Spaman.
Hope scored just one more basket than Olivet, but the Dutchmen were 21-for-27 on free throws compared to the Comets' 10-for-22.