Hope College’s women’s basketball team stormed to the top of the NCAA Division III record book in Friday night’s season opener.
The Flying Dutch defeated Geneva College of Pennsylvania 143-57 in the Hope Tip-Off Tournament at the DeVos Fieldhouse in Holland. It is the most points a team has scored in a Division III women’s game since the NCAA began keeping official records during the 1981-1982 season.
The 143 points broke the previous record of 140 set by Plymouth State vs. Hawthorne on Feb. 14, 1983. That mark was equaled on Feb. 21, 1986, when Bishop scored 140 against Concordia.
Hope, the defending national champion, opened Friday’s game with a 10-0 run and went on to blow out a Geneva team that finished 10-15 a year ago. Hope shot 63 percent from the floor (56-of-88) and 44 percent from 3-point range (11-of-25).
READ MORE: What’s next for Hope College’s defending national champion basketball team
Eight players scored in double figures for the Flying Dutch. Sophomore guard Olivia Bellows of Lake City led the way with 19 points while senior Meg Morehouse of Zeeland added 17 and freshman Sydney Vis of South Christian 15 in her collegiate debut. Claire Baguley, Hannah Kurncz and Carlee Crabtree each scored 12 points and Kate Majerus and Kendall Sietsema 10 apiece.
The Flying Dutch will return to action today in a 3 p.m. game against Illinois Wesleyan University. Wesleyan crushed Concordia of Wisconsin 86-38 Friday. Geneva will play Concordia in today’s opening game at 1 p.m.