by Alan Babbitt

The Hope College women's basketball team packed its defense for the trip to Florida.

The top-ranked Flying Dutch recorded a season-high 27 steals en route to a 98-42 victory against Central College (Iowa) on Wednesday at the RDV Sportsplex Classic in Orlando.

Hope pushed its winning streak to 56 games — the longest active winning streak in all of NCAA basketball.

It is also the sixth-longest winning streak in NCAA Division III women's basketball history. The Flying Dutch trail fifth-place DePauw University (2012-14) by two wins.

Hope (11-0 this season) took control against Central quickly, racing out to a 31-7 first-quarter lead.

Head coach Brian Morehouse said the Flying Dutch focused on ball pressure and denying the first pass.

"It really paid off in the high number of steals," Morehouse said. "I thought our defense created our offense for most of the evening, which resulted in a high percentage of field goals being made. We've been working hard since our last game before Christmas on certain defensive things, and I think it showed this evening."

Central (2-6) committed 34 turnovers — the fifth time an opponent has recorded at least 30 turnovers in a game this season against the Flying Dutch.

The 27 steals marked the fifth game for Hope with at least 20 steals. Senior Olivia Voskuil (Holland, Michigan / Holland Christian HS) led the Flying Dutch with a season-high seven steals and chipped in 10 points.

Hope entered the game ranked sixth in NCAA Division III in scoring defense at 47.3 points per game allowed and seventh in steals at 17.3.

Offensively, senior Kenedy Schoonveld (Zeeland, Michigan / Holland Christian) topped four Flying Dutch in double figures with 13 points. 

Junior Meg Morehouse (Zeeland, Michigan / Zeeland East), pictured, added 12 points off the bench.

Senior Kate Majerus (Sycamore, Illinois / Sycamore) netted 10 points. 

The Flying Dutch shot 55.9 percent from the field (36-68).

Center Allison VanGorp was the lone double-digit scorer for Central with 11 points. Central dropped to 2-6 on the season.

Hope's next game is Wednesday, Jan. 5, at Alma College. Tipoff is 7:30 p.m.