by Alan Babbitt

A concerted effort to get point guard Kasey DeSmit open looks paid off handsomely for the Hope College women's basketball team.

The senior from Hudsonville, Michigan (Hudsonville HS) sparked the third-ranked Flying Dutch to an 89-41 victory against Alma College on Wednesday that kept Hope tied atop the MIAA standings.

DeSmit, pictured, scored all of her team-high 11 points during the first half on 4-of-5 shooting from the field, including 3-of-4 from 3-point range. Hope raced out to a commanding 41-14 halftime lead.

"People found her," head coach Brian Morehouse said. "We know she's capable of doing that every time she touches the ball. We made some changes in how we played in the last two weeks trying to find her a few more shots. I thought tonight it really clicked. Everybody knew where to find her. When Kasey gets a good look, I feel great about the ball going up."

DeSmit buried three of the Flying Dutch's eight 3-pointers — their most in four games. Hope shot 47.1 percent from 3-point range (8-17).

Better spacing and ball movement also propelled senior Sydney Muller (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Grand Rapids Christian). The guard scored six of her 10 points during the first quarter.

Defenisvely, Hope excelled as well. The Flying Dutch allowed only three second-quarter points. 

The game marked the 10th time this season Hope held an opponent to under 50 points. Forward Malorie Rzepka topped Alma (11-10, 5-7 MIAA) with 10 points off the bench.

Hope improved to 19-1 overall and 11-1 in MIAA play. 

Monday's game is the first of three this week for the Flying Dutch. Hope travels to Calvin University on Wednesday, Feb. 9, at 6 p.m.