Elizabeth Perkins and Madison Geers traded turns delivering the energy and drive the Hope College women's basketball team needed for a successful start to the 2015-16 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association season.
Both players recorded career-highs in points to lead the unbeaten and nationally ranked Flying Dutch to a 64-50 win against Trine on Wednesday at DeVos Fieldhouse.
The MIAA opener featured teams picked second and third in the league coaches' preseason poll.
Hope (5-0 overall) entered the game ranked fifth in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association NCAA Division III poll and seventh in the D3Hoops.com rankings.
Perkins scored a game-high 22 points off the bench. The junior from Eaton Rapids, Michigan (Lansing Christian HS) shot from 54.5 percent from the floor (6-11) and 87.5 percent from the foul line (7-8).
All of Perkins' points came after the first quarter and helped Hope (5-0 overall) overcome an 18-12 first-quarter deficit. Perkins contributed 10 points in the second quarter alone, including the final eight points of the half, to give the Flying Dutch a 33-30 halftime lead.
Perkins said she followed Geers' lead against Trine (3-2).
"I knew we were down, and I was just coming in for Madison, who had hit a 3 and a layup (in a row)," Perkins said. "I was really just feeling her energy."
Geers, who was in the starting lineup, finished with 14 points. The junior from Scottville, Michigan (Mason Country Central HS) scored 13 off them after the first quarter.
"I knew I had to put everything out there (after a slow start)," Geers said. "I knew when I went in for Perk I had to step it up. We always guard each other in practice, and I can tell when she is about to go to the next level. We are all trying to get to that next level when we see it in someone."
Senior Maura McAfee of Midland, Michigan (Midland HS) added nine points and 14 rebounds. She became the fifth Flying Dutch player to reach 800 rebounds for her career. She has 803 after 95 games.
Hope returns to action on Saturday, Dec. 5 at Olivet. Tipoff is 3 p.m.
