Redemption week: How Hope women avenged both losses with 'big strides'

HOLLAND - After an emotional redemption win at Trine, redemption week continued for the Hope College women's basketball team.

The Flying Dutch defeated Albion 78-49 on Saturday at DeVos Fieldhouse, avenging both season losses in a four-day span.

In both defeats, No. 7 Hope struggled from the field, especially with its outside shooting. But in both redemption wins, Hope has won convincingly.

The Flying Dutch shot well Wednesday and continued the theme against the Britons. After making just six 3s in the entire game at Albion, Hope made more in the first half Saturday and led by 19 at the break.

"We knew that this was a big week. We knew we had to make up for two games we dropped earlier this season. The way that we responded was trying to have fun. We didn't lean into the pressure and that really helped us. We played calmer and looser," Hope senior Meg Morehouse said. "We made a lot of really big strides the past couple weeks, but we know we are not a finished product. That is really exciting for us."

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Hope improved to 18-2 and 9-2 in the MIAA, one game behind No. 13 Trine.

"It was redemption week, but also really, just 'get better week.' We weren't a finished product in December and we have gotten significantly better in two weeks. We have changed a lot of things. The team really bought into them, and it paid off in better defense, better offense. It is a credit to our kids to be able to accept change and apply it," Hope coach Brian Morehouse said.

Morehouse and Ella McKinney, the two starting guards, were the leading rebounders for Hope with nine and eight, respectively.

"I was super impressed. Meg and Ella, we challenged them all week long. Meg was not going to let us lose this game. She knows what it meant to us. She had a great all-around game and zero turnovers against a really good pressure defense, and nine rebounds," Brian Morehouse said. "Ella really picked that up in the second half. We challenged our guards to rebound better and she did a great job."

Morehouse also had seven points and three assists with no turnovers. McKinney had seven points sand thre assists and likewise, had zero turnovers.

"We really focused on rebounding and it was an emphasis for me knowing the bigs were going to be locked up with theirs," Meg said. "As a point guard, your job is to lead the team and I have watched point guards lead the team for a long time. I was trying to be in the right spot and get it to everyone in the right spot."

In the first quarter, Karsen Karlblom hit two 3s and Claire Baguley scored five points and Hope led 19-12 after one quarter.

In the second quarter, Savannah Feenstra scored in the paint, then stepped out and nailed a 3 to push the Hope lead to 24-18. Meg Morehouse converted a three-point play and Ella McKinney hit a deep 3-pointer and Hope led 34-19.

Kate Majerus and Jada Garner hit back-to-back 3s and Hope led 45-26 at halftime.

Hope shot 55% in the first half and made seven 3s. For the game, Hope shot 45% and hit 10 3s. Hope also went 12-for-14 from the free-throw line.

Albion shot just 33% and got 15 points from Cierra Cole.

Hope sealed the win in the third quarter, leading, 55-28, after a 10-2 run to start the second half, capped by a Majerus 3 that came by way of a stellar offensive rebound from Morehouse.

"This bye week comes at a good time for us. We can take it easy for a couple of days then get back into it and fine-tune," Brian Morehouse said. "This group is having a lot of fun right now. You don't see the stress, you see the fun, and that is why we are playing well."

Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Redemption week: Hope women avenge both losses with 'big strides'