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Game story

Schedule and Results

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — All season long Hope coach Brian Morehouse has described his Flying Dutch as a team of 15 players who are each capable of providing a key performance.

His philosophy was never more evident than Friday as Hope defeated Wilmington 77-73 to advance to the championship game of the NCAA Division III sectional tournament in Eau Claire, Wis.

The Flying Dutch (31-0) meet host Eau Claire (29-2) in Saturday's title game with the winner advancing to the Final Four in Terre Haute, Ind. next weekend.

It is the first time that the Flying Dutch have gained the "Elite Eight" since winning the national championship in 1990.

Friday's victory avenged a loss to Wilmington a year ago in the same Sectional semi-finals.

Early foul trouble and a smothering Wilmington defense minimized the play of Hope senior center Amanda Kerkstra. The All-America candidate was held to two points in the first half and for only the second time this season was held below double figures for the game with nine points.

Not to worry. Senior forward Colleen Corey, known as Hope's best defensive catalyst, stepped up with a collegiate career-high scoring performance of 18 points, making five of six shots including 2-for-2 from 3-point range and 6-for-6 on free throws. It is the first game this season that Corey has led the team in scoring.

Senior guard Amy Baltmanis contributed to 30 of Hope's point scoring 14 and dishing off eight assists. Baltmanis was starting in her 115th consecutive game.

In the first half the teams exchange the lead eight times and were tied twice as the Quakers gained a 43-38 advantage.

Hope gained the lead for good at 15:22 when sophomore Adelynn Vilmann's field goal made it 51-50. Hope's biggest leads was nine points, 62-53, with eight minutes left.

Wilmington cut the margin to three points, 64-61, with 4:30 to go only to have another unheralded Hope senior, Katie Nienhuis, score on a layup. Free throws by Nienhuis with six seconds left finally settled the matter.

The Quakers were led by Megan Woodruff and Tara Rausch with 16 points each while Amy Kincer tallied 15 and Emily Cummins netted 12.

Wilmington held a 43-32 rebound advantage, but Hope forced the Quakers into 21 turnovers, including six blocks and 10 steals.