The Bluejays and the Flying Dutchmen slugged it out back and forth in the early going, exchanging baskets and leads. The Bluejays slowly began to build up a first half lead and took a 39-31 advantage into the locker room at halftime.
Elmhurst pushed its lead up to 14 points in the second half, before Hope closed the distance. The Flying Dutchmen got as close as two points at 54-52 with 7:47 to play. Elmhurst answered back with a 15-9 run of its own to push its lead back to eight points at 69-61 with 1:18 to play. Hope kept fighting and two straight three-pointers from Stephen Cramer brought the Dutchmen again to within two points with 32 seconds to play.
Martin sunk two free throws and then made a key steal and called time-out before falling out of bounds with 26 seconds to play. He sunk two more free three throws to give Elmhurst a six point advantage. After a missed basket by Hope, David Gershenzon hit a lay-up to give Elmhurst the 75-67 win.
Martin had a tremendous all-around game, finishing with 26 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and five steals. Gershenzon added 12 points while Patrick Trierweiler added 10 points. Nick Michael chipped in with eight points.
Hope was led by Cramer's 24 points. Eric Voisin added 17 points and six rebounds while Greg Immink added 14 points. Only Hope's five starters scored points.
For the game, the Dutchmen shot 47 percent from the floor (25-of-53) while Elmhurst shot 55 percent (31-of-56). Hope hit 8-of-16 three-point attempts (50 percent) while the Bluejays hit 4-of-10 from three-point range (40 percent). Elmhrurst outrebounded Hope 33-26.
Elmhurst will play at Wisconsin Lutheran College on Tuesday, December 2, at 7:00 p.m.