ELMHURST, Ill. – The Elmhurst University men's basketball team opened its 2025–26 season with a strong 71–66 victory over Hope College on Wednesday night at R.A. Faganel Hall, riding a balanced scoring effort and a dominant performance on the glass to secure the home win.
The Bluejays established momentum early, shooting 14-of-30 from the field in the first half and knocking down eight three-pointers to build a 39–29 halftime lead.
Forward Aidyn Boone powered Elmhurst throughout the night, delivering a standout double-double with 19 points and 13 rebounds. Boone shot an efficient 6-of-7 from the floor, hiting all three of his three-point attempts, adding five offensive boards that helped the Bluejays generate 11 second-chance points. He also went 4-of-5 from the free-throw line and was involved on both ends late as Elmhurst closed out the win.
The Bluejays' backcourt trio of Luke Smith, Dominic Trelenberg, and Sebastian Blachut provided consistent scoring and composure. Smith finished with 14 points, hitting three three-pointers and adding two assists and a steal. Trelenberg narrowly missed a double-double, totaling 11 points and nine rebounds in 32 minutes while adding three assists and hitting a key three-pointer just before halftime. Blachut added 10 points with a three-pointer, three assists, and a block, including several strong drives to the basket that helped Elmhurst maintain control.
Forward Vinnie Adjahoungbeta contributed one of the game's most complete lines with 10 points, six rebounds, four assists, and two steals while playing 28 minutes. Off the bench, Jack Cherry provided four points and hit two crucial free throws in the final minute to help the Bluejays keep Hope at arm's length.
Elmhurst closed the night shooting 22-of-56 from the floor and 10-of-24 from three-point range, finishing with nine more made threes than Hope. The Bluejays also outrebounded the Flying Dutchmen 40–41 overall, grabbing 11 offensive boards and distributing 14 assists on their 22 made shots.
Hope made a strong second-half push, outscoring Elmhurst 37–32 after halftime. The Flying Dutchmen closed the gap to single digits multiple times in the second half, but Elmhurst consistently responded with key rebounds, defensive stops, and timely free throws to keep the lead intact.
Elmhurst moves to 1–0 on the season and returns to action later this week as non-conference play continues at Faganel Hall, against Wisonsin Luthern College Saturday November 15, at 4pm.
