The Hope College women's basketball team suffered a tough defeat at DeVos Fieldhouse on Saturday afternoon, falling 80-63 to Trine University in a pivotal MIAA matchup featuring nationally-ranked teams.

The Flying Dutch dropped to 19-4 overall and 12-2 in MIAA play. Trine (21-2, 14-0 MIAA clinched the No. 1 seed for the MIAA Tournament and at least a share of the regular season crown. There are two regular-season games remaining. Hope has clinched the No. 2 seed for the league tournament and will have a first-round bye.

On Saturday, the game started as a competitive battle, with Hope keeping pace with Trine in the opening quarter.

The Flying Dutch shot well early and trailed by just one point, 19-18, after the first 10 minutes. However, the second quarter proved costly. 

Hope struggled to generate offense, shooting just 20% (3-for-15) from the field and failing to connect on a 3-pointer. Trine took advantage, outscoring Hope 14-10 in the period to carry a 33-28 lead into halftime.

Coming out of the locker room, Trine turned up the intensity and delivered a game-changing third quarter. The Thunder erupted for 29 points in the third, stretching their lead to double digits.

"Bottom line, I didn't have them ready coming out of halftime," said head coach Brian Morehouse. "We were within five, and as a coach I have to have us better prepared, and we have to have a better response." 

Senior Jada Garner (Midland, Michigan / H.H. Dow HS) and freshman Anna Richards (DeWitt, Michigan / Lansing Catholic) paced the Orange and Blue with 13 points each.

Junior Sydney Vis (Byron Center, Michigan / South Christian) chipped in nine points and five rebounds. 

Sophomore Terin Maynard (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Jenison) added 11 points.

Despite a perfect 21-for-21 performance from the free-throw line, the Flying Dutch couldn't overcome Trine's dominance in the paint, where the Thunder outscored them 48-22. 

Trine also controlled the boards, finishing with a 42-29 rebounding advantage.

Trine's Sidney Wagner led all scorers with 23 points, adding seven assists, seven rebounds and five steals

Hope returns to the court on Wednesday, Feb. 19, at 7 p.m. at Adrian College.