Led by standout sophomore Leah Richards, the Hope College women's basketball team tipped off the season with a convincing 82-61 win against the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse on Friday in a matchup of nationally ranked teams in River Falls, Wisconsin.

Richards (DeWitt, Michigan / Lansing Catholic) scored a career-high 21 points on 80% shooting (8-10), surpassing her previous high of 13 points set last season. The 6-foot-2 center also grabbed a team-best six rebounds and recorded two steals for the Flying Dutch, who were ranked 23rd in the D3hoops.com preseason poll. La Crosse (0-1) entered the game ranked 15th.

Senior guard/forward Sydney Vis (Byron Center, Michigan / South Christian) added 17 points and a team-high three assists while shooting 58.3% from the field (7-12).

Thirteen Flying Dutch players scored, including sophomore guard Anna Richards (DeWitt, Michigan / Lansing Catholic), who totaled nine points and four rebounds. Junior guard Chloe Brunsberg (Chaska, Minnesota / Southwest Christian) finished with eight points.

Hope never trailed after closing the final 2:45 of the first quarter on an 8-0 run to take a 21-14 lead. The Orange and Blue extended the margin to 39-27 by halftime.

The Flying Dutch continue play in River Falls on Saturday, Nov. 8, at 3:30 p.m. CT against host UW-River Falls, which defeated No. 18 Calvin University 59-43 in Friday's first game.