Hope (24-4) pulled off the shock of the 2017 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament First and Second Rounds when the Flying Dutch knocked off two-time defending national champions Thomas More on the Saints' home court with their 74-67 victory March 4 in the NCAA Second Round.
The Flying Dutch gave Thomas More their first loss in over two years, a 94-game winning streak that dated back to 2014. Hope, who took the lead in the second quarter and never relenquished it, was led by a 22-point, 14-rebound performance by Mandy Traversa.
Hope advanced after defeating UW-Whitewater, 78-71, in the NCAA Tournament First Round. The Flying Dutch took the early lead and never trailed; Hope dominated with a 52-28 advantage in points in the paint. Francesca Buchanan had a game-high 21 points, while Mandy Traversa added a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Hope advances to take on Christopher Newport Friday, March 10, at the ONU Sports Center in Ada, Ohio. Host Ohio Northern and SUNY Geneseo round out the sectional.
#15 Trine (25-3) benefitted from a neutral court in the NCAA Tournament debut, defeating Illinois Wesleyan 63-56 in the First Round. In the victory, Brandi Dawson led the way with 21 points while adding three blocked shots and three steals. Teammate Hayley Martin added 18 points with six rebounds.
The Thunder could not upset unbeaten and #5 ranked Ohio Northern in the Second Round, dropping a 55-48 decision to Ohio Northern March 4. Trine held Ohio Northern in check with an 8-2 advantage through the first quarter, but the Polar Bears prevailed on the shoulders of an 18-of-20 shooting performance at the free throw line. Trine was led by Montana Martin and her 15-point performance off the bench.
Calvin (22-6) gave host UW-Oshkosh all the Titans could handle before falling in the NCAA First Round, 63-55. Bre Luurtsema had game-highs of 22 points and nine rebounds in the setback for the Knights.
Tournament links
NCAA Division III Women's Basketball page
NCAA Division III Women's Basketball announcement
2017 NCAA Division III Women's Basketball interactive bracket
2017 NCAA Division III Women's Basketball bracket (pdf)
