by Mackenzie McMahon

The streak has been extended. The Hope College women's basketball team pushed their way through the tight first quarter against Aquinas College, emerging victorious on the ceremonial banner raising day, 78-51. 

The 45-0 unbeaten 2019-20 and 2020-21 teams were honored tonight with an addition to the banners hanging in DeVos Fieldhouse, and the Flying Dutch nabbed their 52nd win in a row. This win for Hope now puts them in sole possession of the longest active winning streak in NCAA basketball, for both men and women. 

Head coach Brian Morehouse said of the banner unveiling, "I think it is a banner of resiliency."

The victory was Hope's 900th all-time. The Flying Dutch are the sixth Division III program to reach 900 wins.

The bench would bring the heat for Hope College in the first quarter, grabbing 11 of the first 18 points of the game. 

"I thought our second group played really well tonight," said Morehouse. 

With a seemingly flip of a switch after two lead changes and being tied three times in the first frame, the Hope College offense came alive and surged forward as their lead increased to 14 points at the half. 

Morehouse gave credit where due to the Saints' defense in the non-league matchup with the Flying Dutch. "It felt like we were playing in mud in the first half. Once we got it in our mind to attack the rim [is when our offense got going]."

Seniors Olivia Voskuil (Holland, Michigan / Holland Christian HS) and Kenedy Schoonveld (Zeeland, Michigan / Holland Chrisitan), pictured right, assisted in outscoring Aquinas College 60-37 after the first quarter, each with 13 points for Hope. 

Junior Savannah Feenstra (Osceola, Indiana / Northwood) tallied 12 points as well in the 52nd straight win. Ella McKinney of Haslett, Michigan (Haslett) led the Flying Dutch with three steals, while Hope College grabbed 23 total points from turnovers. 

Hope faces off against Benedictine (Ill.) on Thursday, December 9 at DeVos Fieldhouse at 7 p.m.