HOLLAND - When the Hope College women's basketball team was upset at Albion in January, it changed the course of the league standings.
It gave the Flying Dutch two losses and put them out of the league title race unless Trine stumbled.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBut now, with nothing to lose, the Flying Dutch are simply focused on getting better for the MIAA Tournament.
That was on display in full force, especially on the defensive side of the ball in a 80-44 revenge win over Albion on Wednesday, Feb. 17 at DeVos Fieldhouse.
More: Hope basketball holds off Olivet in final seconds in MIAA first-place showdown
"We had to win so we wouldn't have to play on Wednesday (in the MIAA tournament). We lost the last time we played them. I thought we competed really hard for 40 minutes. That might be the best defensive effort of the year," Hope coach Brian Morehouse said. "Our starters dug in and competed hard. It was our best 'compete' game of the year."
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementTrine (21-3) is 15-0 in MIAA play heading into Saturday's showdown at Hope (21-3) to close the regular season. That is two games ahead of 13-2 Hope.
The Hope College women's basketball team defeated Albion on Wednesday.But the finale will give one of teams momentum heading into the conference tournament that will be at Trine.
"Playing like this is a big deal. It helps prepare us for Saturday. We know how we can go out and compete like a team. That gives us the confidence that we can play a full 40 minutes together," Hope senior Sydney Vis said. "We were up in their business on defense with a lot of ball pressure and denies. That is the goal of our defense."
Hope forced 17 turnovers in the first half and 23 in the game. Anna Richards and Bayli Stewart each had three steals. Hope held Albion's leading scorer Meghan Trewhella to four points.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement"(Trewhella) will be an MVP candidate, averaging 20.5 per game and we did a really great job holding her to four. Anna, Lauren Leach and Bayli a little bit. Those three got an extra high-five at the end of the game because of the job they did," Morehouse said.
Offensively, Hope shot 43% and went 8-of-9 from the free-throw line.
Vis scored 18 points, while Anna Richards had 15 and Leach Richards and Maddie Petroelje each added 12.
Hope men hang on in final seconds
The Hope College men's basketball team trailed late in the second half, but rallied in the final minutes to hold off Albion 73-70 on Wednesday, Feb. 18.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe win keeps Hope tied with Olivet for first place, but with the tiebreaker. Hope plays Calvin on Saturday and a win will clinch hosting the MIAA Tournament.
Clinging to a 65-63 lead with 2:15 to go, Hope's Simon Neuhaus nailed a 3. Justice Mims scored and hope hit three free throws to have just enough as the Britons nailed two 3s in the final 11 seconds to pull within three.
Hope (16-8, 11-2 MIAA) trailed 40-32 at the half and trailed for much of the second half.
Neuhaus hit an earlier 3-pointer and Carter Bishop converted a three-point play to pull Hope within 49-47 with 13:08 to go. Avery Sanchez made two baskets to give Hope a 54-53 lead before Parker Hovey slammed a dunk and Mims scored a layup to put Hope up 58-53 and swing the momentum.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMarcus Wourman, Hovey and Orion Yant each scored 12 points. Neuhaus had 11 off the bench and Sanchez added 10. Mims had eight points and five rebounds.
Hovey also grabbed 10 rebounds and dished out six assists to go along with three blocks and three steals.
Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’[email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Hope College basketball teams sweep Albion in MIAA play
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