The Hope College women's basketball team made a conscious effort to pick up the pace of its play in the new year.

The decision paid immediate dividends on Saturday as the nationally ranked Flying Dutch cruised to a 91-52 win against Kalamazoo at DeVos Fieldhouse.

Hope raced to a 52-33 halftime lead en route to improving to 13-1 overall and 5-0 in Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association play. The Flying Dutch shot 55.6 percent from the field in the first half (20-36).

Sophomore forward Francesca Buchanan of Grant, Michigan (Sparta HS) topped the Flying Dutch with 21 points and nine rebounds.

Buchanan shot 75 percent from the field (9-of-12) and the foul line (3-4). She helped Hope outscore Kalamazoo (2-11, 1-4 MIAA) at the foul line 19-2.

Junior guard Madison Geers of Scottville, Michigan (Mason County Central) and sophomore guard Victoria Swift of LaGrange, Illinois (Lyons Township) chipped in 11 points apiece.

The Flying Dutch totaled a season-high 19 assists on 32 field goals.

Hope returns to action on Wednesday, Jan. 11 with a 6 p.m. game against Olivet. The Flying Dutch are ranked seventh in this week's Women's Basketball Coaches Association poll and eighth in the D3hoops.com rankings.

Click below to watch Hope's highlights.