The nationally-ranked Hope College women's basketball team used a fast start on the road for a title-clinching effort.

The Flying Dutch defeated Kalamazoo College 86-55 on Wednesday evening for their 17th consecutive victory.

Hope (21-1 overall, 13-0 MIAA) also clinched at least a share of a third consecutive MIAA regular-season title for the Flying Dutch.

The Flying Dutch (No. 4 WBCA/No. 6 D3hoops) goes for an outright championship on Saturday, Feb. 10, at 3 p.m. at second-place Trine. Hope leads second-place Trine University by three games with three regular-season games remaining. Calvin University fell into third place after losing at Albion College on Wednesday.

Against Kalamazoo, the Orange and Blue sank nine points before the Hornets tallied their first point.

Senior Raven Jemison (Grand Rapids, Michigan / East Kentwood HS) began the uncontested run with a layup followed by a basket from beyond the arc from sophomore Sydney Vis (Byron Center, Michigan / South Christian). A pair of free throws from juniors Jada Garner (Midland, Michigan / H.H. Dow) and Olivia Bellows (Lake City, Michigan / Lake City) capped the 9-0 run for Hope. 

The Flying Dutch defense held Kalamazoo to just four points during the first quarter, outscoring the Hornets 21-4. Hope held Kalamazoo to under 20 points for each of the following quarters. 

All 16 Flying Dutch players played against the Hornets (4-18, 1-12 MIAA). 

Bellows led Hope in scoring for the second game in a row, grabbing 14 points in the victory. Bellows sank all six free-throw attempts. 

Vis also shared the game-high 14 points with her teammate while also grabbing seven rebounds for Hope. 

Jemison chipped in nine points in the road win. 

Garner reeled in a team-high nine rebounds for the Flying Dutch.

Hope outrebounded Kalamazoo 49-39. 

Ruby Hogan and Jordan Wesaw each tallied 14 points for the Hornets.