The second-best defensive effort of the season kept the nationally ranked Hope College women's basketball team tied for first place in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association standings.

The Flying Dutch won 75-35 at Olivet on Saturday to put their record at 21-2 overall and 13-1 in MIAA play. Hope is tied with Trine with one week remaining.

Hope, ranked No. 9 by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association NCAA Division III poll, came within four points of matching a season-best 31 points allowed to Centre, Kentucky on December 30.

The Flying Dutch, also ranked 11th by D3hoops.com, forced Olivet into 23 turnovers and 25.7 percent shooting from the field (14-59).

Hope collected 17 steals - the fourth consecutive game in double fights.

Sophomore guard Victoria Swift of LaGrange, Illinois (Lyons Township HS) scored a game-high 18 points off the bench to lead the Flying Dutch after a 22-point effort at Kalamazo0 on Wednesday. She made a game-high four 3-pointers against the Comets.

Junior forward Jacquelyn Schwark of Fraser, Michigan (Lutheran North) added 10 points off the bench.

The Flying Dutch finished with 20 assists — second only this season to Wednesday's 27 at Kalamazoo.

The game was the seventh on the road in eight games for Hope.

The Flying Dutch will finish the regular season with two home games: Wednesday, Feb. 15 vs. Saint Mary's at 6 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 18 vs. Trine at 12:45 p.m.