A fourth-quarter eruption paved the way for the biggest comeback of the season for the sixth-ranked Hope College women's basketball team.
It was a timely one.
The top-seeded Flying Dutch rallied to defeat fourth-seeded Olivet 63-53 in Friday's semifinals of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Tournament by outscoring their upset-minded foe 29-11 during the final 10 minutes.
Hope (25-1 overall) advanced to Saturday's 5 p.m. championship game to face third-seeded Trine, a 57-45 winner against second-seeded Calvin in Friday's first semifinal.
Hope is ranked sixth in the D3Hoops.com rankings and seventh in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association poll.
The Flying Dutch are in the MIAA finals for the 17th time, including the 10th time in a row. Trine (19-7) is making its first championship game appearance. The winner earns the league's automatic berth to the NCAA Division III Tournament.
Senior forward and MIAA MVP Maura McAfee of Midland, Michigan (Midland HS) scored nine of her game-high 28 points during the fourth quarter.
Junior forward Mandy Traversa of Winfield, Illinois (Wheaton North HS) scored 11 of her 18 points during the final 10 minutes. She sank three of her five 3-pointers during the fourth quarter.
Junior guard and All-MIAA First Team selection Angelique Gaddy of Caledonia, Michigan (Grand Rapids South Christian HS) scored eight points.
Hope overcame early shooting foes that put the Flying Dutch down 25-6 three minutes into the second quarter. It was Hope's biggest deficit of the season.
Hope made only one of its first 20 field-goal attempts. The 18 first-half points were the fewest the Flying Dutch had scored in any half at DeVos Fieldhouse.
The Flying Dutch took their first lead of the game at 50-48 with 2 minutes, 50 seconds left in the fourth quarter on a 3-pointer from sophomore guard Madison Geers of Scottville, Michigan (Mason Country Central HS).
Eight points from Traversa followed, including six on 3-pointers.
