No. 6 Hope Women's Basketball Blankets Beloit, Wins RDV Sportsplex D3 Classic Title

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A suffocating defense made for a fantastic Florida finish for the nationally ranked Hope College women's basketball team.

The unbeaten Flying Dutch claimed the RDV Sportsplex D3 Classic title with 72-33 win over Beloit, Wisconsin on Wednesday in Orlando.

Hope (11-0 overall) set a season-low for points allowed in a game. The previous best came in an 83-41 win vs. Monmouth, Illinois on November 20 at DeVos Fieldhouse.

It also was the fewest points the Flying Dutch yielded since a 54-34 win at Franklin, Indiana last season on December 17, 2014.

Hope held the third-leading scorer in NCAA Division III this season to just 10 points. Forward LanaWieseman entered the week averaging 23.3 points per game.

The Flying Dutch forced 36 turnovers and limited Beloit (5-6 overall) to 26.5 percent shooting from the field (13-of-49). Beloit entered the game averaging 75 points per game.

Tournament MVP Maura McAfee shared team-high scoring honors with freshman guard Victoria Swift of LaGrange, Illinois (Lyons Township HS). Both netted nine points.

McAfee also grabbed seven rebounds. The senior from Midland, Michigan (Midland HS) headlined a five-player all-tournament team that included two teammates: junior forward Mandy Traversa of Winfield, Illinois (Wheaton North HS) and freshman forward Francesca Buchanan of Grant, Michigan (Sparta HS).

Wieseman and Mount Ida center Angelique Martinez rounded out the all-tournament team.

A total of 13 players scored for the Flying Dutch.

Starting forward Elizabeth Perkins of Eaton Rapids, Michigan (Lansing Christian HS) added eight points, while senior guard Autumn Anderson of Dorr, Michigan (Wayland HS) and Traversachipped in seven apiece.

Hope returns to action on Saturday, Jan. 2. The Flying Dutch resume Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association play when they host Adrian College. Tipoff is 3 p.m. at DeVos Fieldhouse.