HOLLAND, Mich. -- In the three games prior to Saturday, Hope College senior forward Teddy Ray made just two of the 14 shots he took and scored five total points. Against Kalamazoo College, however, Ray had it going, connecting on seven of eight three-point field goals and scoring a game-high 25 points in an 87-65 win.
"It was big from a personal standpoint," Ray said. "My teammates and coaches had a lot of long talks with me, just trying to get my confidence going. Sso it felt good playing that game against Kalamazoo, now leading into Calvin and beyond."
The Flying Dutchmen needed a lift Saturday, too. The Flying Dutchmen fell behind by 21 before rallying.
"To be honest, after the rough start, I kind of challenged him as a senior," Hope head coach Greg Mitchell said. "I said, 'Hey, either play like a senior, or don't play.' And he was saying all the right things, even when we weren't playing. He just wasn't really proving it. And he hit one shot, and that made a difference for him. Our guys have so much respect for Teddy that when he is in the moment, he is playing well ... I think it is contagious, and I really think that contributed to how well we played."
Hope will need Ray to stay hot as it plays at rival Calvin College on January 9 at 8 p.m. in what will be the 199th meeting in the series.
