by Alan Babbitt

Another winning streak is picking up steam for the Hope College women's basketball team.

The third-ranked Flying Dutch continued their satisfying run in The Rivalry on Wednesday, downing Calvin University for a team-best 13th consecutive time with an 81-52 victory at Van Noord Arena in Grand Rapids.

With familiar contributions from up and down the lineup, Hope extended a winning streak that started with a three-game sweep in the 2017-18 season.

"One of the big reasons you come to Hope is to play in this game," head coach Brian Morehouse said. "Whether it's at home or on the road, you're playing for bragging rights in West Michigan. That never gets old. We're really excited to win."

At first, Calvin dominated The Rivalry and still leads the all-time series, 71-59. Since 2000, the Flying Dutch have been in control, winning 45 of 60 meetings.

On Wednesday Hope asserted command in the first quarter. After two early Calvin leads, the Flying Dutch embarked on a 15-1 run over seven minutes to go up 18-5.

Hope (20-1 overall, 12-1 MIAA) took the lead for good at 5-4 on a Kenedy Schoonveld steal that led to a fast-break layup for Olivia Voskuil.

Schoonveld (Zeeland, Michigan / Holland Christian), pictured, also scored eight of her 12 points during the opening 10 minutes. The senior guard shared team-high scoring honors with senior point guard Kasey DeSmit (Hudsonville, Michigan / Hudsonville).

Four Flying Dutch finished in double figures. Junior guard Ella McKinney (Haslett, Michigan / Haslett) added 11 points off the bench. Starting center Olivia Voskuil (Holland, Michigan / Holland Christian) chipped in 10 points.

Hope recorded 18 assists on 30 made baskets, including a team-best five from senior guard Sydney Muller (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Grand Rapids Christian). 

The Flying Dutch also totaled nine 3s at a 56.3 clip that was their second-highest of the season.

"We're getting the ball up and down the floor faster," Morehouse said. "We're just playing with a better pace: cleaner defensive rebounds, pushing the ball harder. We're getting better 3-point shots and less challenged. We're more open because the ball is not sticking. It's zipping around the perimeter."

Added DeSmit, "(Assists) are the best stat we can have. That shows we're pushing the ball in transition and finding the open person, making the shots."

The win kept Hope tied atop the MIAA standings with Trine University with three league games.

The loss snapped Calvin's seven-game winning streak this season and dropped the Knights (16-6, 9-4) into a third-place tie with Albion College. Center Gabby Timmer topped the Knights with 16 points and 10 rebonds.

The Flying Dutch return to the court on Saturday, Feb. 12, at 1 p.m. at Olivet College.