by Alan Babbitt

With games dwindling down at DeVos Fieldhouse for s prolific group of seniors, the Hope College women's basketball team is determined to make the most of each one.

The third-ranked Flying Dutch  proved successful again at home on Saturday, winning, 80-46, against Saint Mary's College in front of a Senior Day crowd of 1,905.

Prior to the game, seven seniors were recognized: Kasey DeSmit, Kate Majerus, Sydney Muller, Kenedy Schoonveld, Hannah Smith, Olivia Voskuil, and student assistant coach Taylor Vines.

"It's an emotional day for me. It's an emotional day for those seniors," head coach Brian Morehouse said. "The good news is we have home games left. We have the Alma game on Monday, league tournament games, and hopefully national tournament games. It's an emotional day for the players around them. You want it to go perfectly. Games aren't perfect. They're messy. They're sloppy. 

"I was happy with the outcome."

Hope led for nearly the entire game. The Flying Dutch struggled with their shot early, yet ripped off a 10-0 run midway through the first quarter to take a commanding 12-3 lead.

By halftime, Hope led, 42-13, and was on its way to its 18th win in 19 games this season. The Flying Dutch remained tied atop the MIAA standings with Trine University; both have 10-1 league records.

All 15 players scored for Hope. Voskuil (Holland, Michigan / Holland Christian HS), pictured far left, led the Flying Dutch with 14 points off the bench after volunteering to give up her usual spot, so Smith (Midland, Michigan / H.H. Dow), pictured, could make her first collegiate start.

Schoonveld (Zeeland, Michigan / Holland Christian) chipped in 10 points and became the sixth member of the Flying Dutch to reach 1,300 points. She ranks fifth all-time with 1,303 points.

Muller (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Grand Rapids Christian) added eight points..  

The win was the 118th in 125 games for fifth-year seniors Muller, Schoonveld, and Voskuil.

The win was the 87th in 93 games and four years for Smith, DeSmit (Hudsonville, Michigan / Hudsonville), and Majerus (Sycamore, Illinois / Sycamore).

Hope's next game is Monday, Feb. 7, at 7:30 p.m. against Alma at DeVos Fieldhouse. The Flying Dutch play their final four regular-season games on the road.