The fourth-ranked Hope College women's basketball team reached a familiar benchmark with a 62-45 win against Alma on Wednesday at DeVos Fieldhouse.

The Flying Dutch reached the 20-win mark for the 18th consecutive season as they improved to 20-0 overall and 12-0 in Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association play.

The MIAA leaders also gave head coach Brian Morehouse his 499th career win in 20 seasons.

Morehouse said 20-win seasons require consistency and playing the game the right way.

"You don't win 20 games with peaks and valleys. You have to be consistent," Morehouse said. "That starts with practice and with preparation by our assistant coaches, who do an amazing job with scouting reports.

"It filters down from there with seniors who know the right way to practice and know the right way to prepare for games. Having really good players makes a difference too, but it comes down to a mindset of valuing every practice and valuing every game."

Hope fought off a challenge from Alma (7-12, 2-9 MIAA) in part by limiting the Scots to four second-quarter points for a 31-19 halftime lead.

The Flying Dutch matched their fewest points allowed in a quarter set in a first-quarter effort against Lawrence, Wisconsin on December 18 at DeVos Fieldhouse.

Three players scored in double figures for Hope.

Senior forward Maura McAfee of Midland, Michigan (Midland HS) topped the Flying Dutch with a game-high 13 points and nine rebounds. With 1,273 career points, McAfee passed Jordyn Boles (1266 from 2004-08) for fourth place among Hope's career scoring leaders.

Senior guard Autumn Anderson of Dorr, Michigan (Wayland HS) and junior forward Mandy Traversa of Winfield, Illinois (Wheaton North HS) chipped in 10 points apiece.

"When you come in as a freshman, the first thing you find out about Hope is we love to win and it's a winning culture," Anderson said. "If you don't like to win, you better learn how to love to win. We find that balance and find a way to not only set the tone for one season… it's a continuous effect. When the players come in, they love that we get down to the nitty-gritty and we find the ways to make it happen."

The Flying Dutch have started a season 20-0 for the fourth time under Morehouse. His career record is 499-76.

Hope returns to action on Saturday, Feb. 6 with a 3 p.m. home game against Saint Mary's.

The Flying Dutch will honor the 2006 national championship game at halftime. The 1 p.m. junior varsity exhibition will feature former Hope players suiting up against the Flying Dutch.

Hope also will recognize its two seniors: Anderson and McAfee.