Box Score 
by Tom Renner
The Hope College women's basketball team found itself in familiar territory Friday, winning the season opener for the 19th consecutive year by routing MacMurray College (Illinois), 109-31, in Hope's Tipoff Classic at DeVos Fieldhouse.
Hope's total was the most by the Flying Dutch In 14 years at DeVos Fieldhouse and the third highest in school history.
"After a month of dealing with me, I'm sure the team was happy to be playing someone," said coach
Brian Morehouse, who is now 21-2 in season-opening games. "I was especially pleased with our offensive rebounding and the assists-to-baskets ratio."
Hope featured a balanced attack as 14 players scored, 15 had at least one rebound and 12 were credited with an assist.
Sophomore
Jess Moorman of Northville, Michigan (Northville HS) led Hope off the bench with 13 points, while senior
Francesca Buchanan of Grant, Michigan (Sparta) tallied 11.
The Flying Dutch had a 67-38 rebound advantage, including 38 off the offensive board and were credited with 26 assists on 40 baskets, including 12 3-pointers. Sophomore
Sydney Muller of Grand Rapids (GR Christian) was credited with seven of Hope's 26 steals.
MacMurray scored the game's first basket, but the Flying Dutch reeled off the next 14 points en route to taking a 22-8 lead after the first quarter. Hope expanded the lead to 52-21 at halftime, scoring 26 points off MacMurray turnovers while putting 11 players in the scorebook.
The Flying Dutch scored the first 20 points in the third quarter in pulling to an 80-26 lead. MacMurray was limited to two baskets in the second half and just six for the game.
MacMurray freshman Chassidy Hayes had a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds, including 10 off the defensive board.
In Friday's other game Benedictine, Ill. topped the MIAA's Alma, 59-51.
On Saturday in action at Hope's DeVos Fieldhouse, Alma (0-1) will meet MacMurray, Ill. (0-1) at 1 p.m. followed by Hope (1-0) vs. Benedictine (2-0) at 3 p.m.
