The Hope College women's basketball team could not sustain a fast start and dropped its Top 10 showdown to St. Thomas, Minnesota 78-67 on Thursday at the Bluffton, Ohio Holiday Tournament.

The seventh-ranked Flying Dutch suffered their first loss in 12 games this season. No. 5 St. Thomas improved to 9-0.

Hope will face Centre, Kentucky in the noon consolation game on Friday. Centre (3-8) lost to Bluffton 53-35 in Thursday's second game.

Sophomore forward Francesca Buchanan of Grant, Michigan (Sparta HS) scored a team-high 15 points and grabbed six rebounds for the Flying Dutch.

Senior forward Mandy Traversa of Winfield, Illinois (Wheaton North) chipped in 13 points and six rebounds.

Junior guard Tyra Smith of Grand Rapids, Michigan (GR Christian) netted 10 points.

Senior guard Paris Madison of Grand Rapids, Michigan (GR Christian) and junior guard Madison Geers of Scottville, Michigan (Mason County Central) had eight points apiece.

Madison also collected a season-high six assists.

Hope jumped out to a 25-17 first-quarter lead. The Flying Dutch were limited to 22 points during the second and third quarters to fall behind 56-47.

St. Thomas center Kaitlin Langer recorded a game-high 25 points on 11-of-13 shooting from the field.