by Alan Babbitt

Inspired, unselfish, and efficient from the opening tip, the top-ranked Hope College women's basketball team welcomed their parents back to DeVos Fieldhouse with a 98-62 victory against Alma College on Wednesday.

The unbeaten Flying Dutch seized control immediately by charging to a 32-6 lead by the end of the first quarter.

Eight different Hope players scored during the decisive run that propelled Hope to its 38th consecutive victory, a streak that covers this season and last.

"We got off to a blazing start," head coach Brian Morehouse said after his team improved to 9-0 overall and 3-0 in MIAA play. "We were not trying to do too much. I thought we did a lot of passing up a good shot to get a great shot. The defensive intensity was really good in the first quarter."

Hope shot 59.1 percent from the field during the first quarter (13-of-22), including 57.1 percent from 3-point range (4-7).

The Flying Dutch registered 10 of their 23 assists to just two turnovers during the first 10 minutes of play.

Center Olivia Voskuil, pictured, led a balanced attack with a game-high 16 points, including six during the first quarter. 

The senior from Holland, Michigan (Holland Christian HS) equaled her season-high for points by shooting 57.1 percent from the field (8-14). She also grabbed nine rebounds, blocked three shots, and recorded two of the Flying Dutch's 23 assists.

Senior guard Kenedy Schoonveld (Zeeland, Michigan/Holland Christian) poured in eight of her 11 points during the first quarter.

Senior guard Lauren Newman (Flushing, Michigan/Flushing) netted four of her 12 points during the opening frame.

Hope placed four players in double figures. Sophomore guard Ella McKinney (Haslett, Michigan/Haslett) chipped in 12 points off the bench. 

The game was the first for the Flying Dutch this season where a select number of their immediate families could attend in person.

"It was awesome having them there," Morehouse said. "I thought our kids were motivated. You could tell they were excited looking up into the stands as we came off the court after warmups. I think that just gives them a little extra jump. We missed them. I thought our parents were loud today; they were having fun up there. You could definitely hear them, so that made it a lot of fun."

Hope's next game is Saturday, February 20 at 3 p.m. at Calvin University for the 127th game in The Rivalry.