By Alan Babbitt

Over the outstretched arms of a much-taller defender, point guard Kasey DeSmit buried the first Hope College shot of the game from the top of the 3-point line.

The senior gave the No. 1-ranked Flying Dutch the lead for good against No. 21-ranked Baldwin Wallace University (Ohio) 41 seconds into the game. 

Hope went on to score 12 of the game's first 14 points and won, 83-55, on Saturday at DeVos Fieldhouse. 

DeSmit (Hudsonville, Michigan / Hudsonville) buried two more 3-pointers en route to nine points and Hope Tournament MVP honors. Senior forward Kate Majerus (Sycamore, Illinois / Sycamore) and junior guard Claire Baguley (Ada, Michigan / Forest Hills Central) joined DeSmit on the six-player all tournament team.

The Flying Dutch's 49th consecutive victory came from DeSmit and the other four starters setting the tone from the opening tip, head coach Brian Morehouse said.

"I thought the start was critical today," Morehouse said after the Flying Dutch raised their record on the season to 4-0. "If you flip that 12-2, now we're digging ourselves out of a big hole. Credit to Baldwin-Wallace for cutting it down to six by the end of the quarter, but they had to expend a lot of energy to get there. 

"I thought our starters played with a ton of energy and defensive focus. I thought we played with a lot more toughness tonight. We challenged them after (the Finlandia game). They were really coachable."

Hope pulled further ahead in the second quarter, leading 35-23 at halftime. The Flying Dutch then put the game out of reach with a 28-point third quarter that resulted in a 63-39 lead.

DeSmit capped the third quarter with a nifty steal and 3-pointer from the wing in transition, then an assist on the buzzer-beating 3-pointer from senior guard Kenedy Schoonveld (Zeeland, Michigan / Holland Christian).

"Kasey's had a great start to the season. She's playing the best basketball of her life in my opinion," Morehouse said.

Baguley led the Flying Dutch with 15 points off the bench on 67-percent shooting (6-of-9) and a team-high three 3-pointers.

Schoonveld and senior guard Sydney Muller (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Grand Rapids Christian) scored 11 points apiece.

Senior center Olivia Voskuil (Holland, Michigan / Holland Christian) collected nine points and a team-best four blocked shots.

Majerus totaled eight points and a team-high six rebounds.

Baldwin Wallace (2-1) was held to 2-of-15 3-point shooting after sinking 17 during Friday's 85-29 win against Olivet College.

All-tournament selection Lilly Edwards scored 18 points to lead Baldwin Wallace. Teammate Megan Hensel also was named to the all-tournament along with Finlandia's Bailey Froberg.

Froberg's 19 points topped Finlandia during a 65-45 win against Olivet College in Saturday's consolation game.