Forwards Heather Randall and Jacquelyn Schwark helped the Hope College women's basketball team turn back the charging Britons of Albion College without even stepping on the floor in the second half.
The seniors' willingness to support an adjustment to the playing rotation paved the way for a 69-57 Flying Dutch victory Wednesday night at DeVos Fieldhouse, head coach Brian Morehouse said.
Unbeaten Hope — No. 2 in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association poll and No. 3 by D3hoops.com — went to a three-guard rotation to counter Albion's aggressive defense and spread-out offense.
The Flying Dutch outscored Albion 32-23 during the second half to secure their 18th win of the season and ninth in Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association play.
"Two of the MVPs tonight are Heather Randall and Jacquelyn Schwark for allowing a coach to make a nontraditional move in not playing them in the second half, so we could have a little better coverage defensively," Morehouse said. "Yet they were the most vocal kids on the bench. They were the most energetic. They didn't let it affect their attitudes.
"Any time you make a switch like that, all the freshmen and young kids are looking around 'I wonder how the seniors are going to handle it?' They handled it like the amazing seniors they are. They make me look smart because they have the team-first attitudes that make up our program."
Video: Postgame press conference | 1st-Half Highlights | 2nd-Half Highlights