by Alan Babbitt

An assertive Claire Baguley and a determined Hope College women's basketball team continued their drive toward a national championship on Friday.

The No. 2-ranked Flying Dutch overcame early foul trouble and a fearless opponent to defeat Millikin University (Ill.), 91-77, in the third round of the NCAA Division III Tournament.

Hope (29-1) advanced to face No. 7 New York University (25-1) in the sectional final on Saturday, March 12, at 7 p.m. at DeVos Fieldhouse. The winner advances to next week's national semifinals in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Tickets are on sale online at https://tickets.hope.edu/ and at the door at DeVos Fieldhouse beginning at 6 p.m. 

"Happy to be moving on after beating a really good team," head coach Brian Morehouse said. "The whole game was a shootout. For two teams that I think are really good defensively that's a lot of points. I thought we buckled down particularly in the third quarter."

Baguley, pictured, who chipped in 12 points off the bench, created four and-one opportunities for the Flying Dutch. The junior from Ada, Michigan (Forest Hills Central HS) scored six points during the second quarter with two starters playing fewer than two minutes due to foul trouble.

Kate Majerus buried both of her 3-pointers for six points that helped Hope take a 43-39 halftime lead. The senior from Sycamore, Illinois (Sycamore) finished with 10 points.

The Flying Dutch then pulled away to a 68-56 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Senior guard Kenedy Schoonveld (Zeeland, Michigan / Holland Christian) totaled 10 of her team-high 24 points during the third quarter after playing only two minutes and scoring three points during the second quarter.

Baguley said Hope focused on attacking the basket in practice this week.

"We put an emphasis on racking the ball this week, getting to the basket, getting fouls," Baguley said. "We shot a lot of free throws this week. In order to shoot free throws in a game, you've got to get to the rim and get fouled. That was important throughout this game. People were kind of edging toward our shooters, Kenedy and Kate. Obviously you're going to stay home on them a lot, which opens up a lot of gaps for driving."

The Flying Dutch outscored Millikin, 14-11, at the foul line while taking three more attempts with 20 in all.

Hope finished with five in double figures, including senior guard Sydney Muller (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Grand Rapids Christian) with 14 and junior guard Ella McKinney (Haslett, Michigan / Haslett) with 12.

With 91 points, the Flying Dutch recorded their second-highest scoring game in the NCAA Tournament behind a 92-point effort vs. Washington University in St. Louis during a 2006 sectional semifinal.

Hope earned its eighth sectional final appearance and its first since 2018. The Flying Dutch are seeking their third sectional title; they previously claimed them in 2010 and 2006.

Saturday will be Hope's first game against New York University, a 73-54 winner vs. No. 9 Scranton University (Pa.) in Friday's sectional opener.

Millikin closed the season with a 23-7 record.

Guard Elyce Knudsen topped Millikin with a game-high 25 points. She led four Millikin players in double figures.