Angelique Gaddy's desperation heave in front of her bench banked through the basket and fittingly capped a third-quarter eruption for the Hope College women's basketball team. This nationally ranked matchup against Wheaton, Illinois would go the Flying Dutch's way this time.
No. 11-ranked Hope rolled to a 68-49 win over the eighth-ranked Thunder on Tuesday after erupting for 29 points in the third quarter.
Hope coach Brian Morehouse said his team was motivated by memories of last season's 82-75 home loss to Wheaton. It ended the Flying Dutch's DeVos Fieldhouse win streak at 37 games and was just the fourth loss in 142 games there.
"We had multiple texts from people on last year's team, telling us not to forget and play Hope basketball for 40 minutes," Morehouse said. "I thought the message definitely got through to our players."
Hope outscored the Thunder 29-12 during the third quarter to grab a 60-42 lead. Senior forward Maura McAfee of Midland, Michigan (Midland HS) scored nine of her game-high 15 points during the decisive really.
Gaddy, the junior guard from Caledonia, Michigan (Grand Rapids South Christian HS), netted seven of her 14 points during the quarter.
The last of Gaddy's points in the quarter came after she picked up a loose ball near her bench and flicked it off the backboard for a 3-pointer as the third-quarter buzzer sounded.
The Flying Dutch shot 60 percent from the field (9-of-15) and added nine free throws over a 10-minute span.
McAfee also grabbed a season-high 15 rebounds for her second double-double of the season.
Hope received balanced scoring as five players chipped in six more or more.
Junior forward Mandy Traversa of Winfield, Illinois (Wheaton North HS) scored eight points, while junior forward Elizabeth Perkins of Eaton Rapids, Michigan (Lansing Christian HS) and freshman guard Victoria Swift of LaGrange, Illinois (Lyons Township HS) totaled seven points apiece.
Junior guard Paris Madison of Grand Rapids, Michigan (Grand Rapids Christian HS) and freshman forward Francesca Buchanan of Grant, Michigan (Sparta HS) had six points apiece.
Morehouse said he is pleased with his team's improvement since practice began a month ago.
"Just because of how good Wheaton is, you'd never in your wildest dreams expect to win a game by that margin," Morehouse said. "We had a really good night shooting the ball. They did not shoot as well. You're going to have those kind of nights. It's part of the game of basketball.
"I don't think we're anywhere near a finished product, but I've like where we've come from since October 15. Our biggest challenge is to improve every day in practice."
Hope is off for Thanksgiving break. The Flying Dutch return to action on Wednesday, Dec. 2 with their Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association opener against Trine at DeVos Fieldhouse.