Hope College Women's Basketball Advances to Sweet 16 After Overtime Win

The Flying Dutch defeat Illinois Wesleyan 90-85 in dramatic comeback victory

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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The Hope College women's basketball team secured a hard-fought 90-85 overtime victory against Illinois Wesleyan University in the second round of the NCAA Division III tournament. The win advances the Flying Dutch to the Sweet 16 round of the tournament.

Why it matters

Hope College's dramatic comeback win over Illinois Wesleyan showcases the team's resilience and ability to perform under pressure as they continue their tournament run. The victory also marks the team's return to the Sweet 16 after missing the tournament last year at this stage.

The details

Trailing by six points with just two minutes remaining in regulation, Hope rallied to tie the game and ultimately defeat Illinois Wesleyan in overtime. Senior forward Sydney Vis led Hope with a season-high 22 points and seven rebounds, while sophomore forward Maddie Petroelje contributed 19 points and Anna Richards recorded a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Head coach Brian Morehouse highlighted the crucial role played by point guards Terin Maynard and Josie DeSmit.

  • The game was played on March 8, 2026.
  • Hope College previously defeated Illinois Wesleyan 76-73 in overtime on November 22 in the Michele Schoon Classic at DeVos Fieldhouse.

The players

Hope College

A private liberal arts college located in Holland, Michigan, known for its strong women's basketball program.

Illinois Wesleyan University

A private liberal arts university located in Bloomington, Illinois, with a competitive Division III basketball program.

Sydney Vis

A senior forward for the Hope College women's basketball team, who led the team with a season-high 22 points and seven rebounds in the overtime victory.

Maddie Petroelje

A sophomore forward for the Hope College women's basketball team, who contributed 19 points in the overtime win.

Anna Richards

A player for the Hope College women's basketball team, who recorded a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds in the overtime victory.

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What they’re saying

“In this environment, you just want to win and advance. It doesn't matter how you get there.”

— Brian Morehouse, Head coach, Hope College women's basketball (newsy-today.com)

What’s next

Hope College will face the University of Chicago in the Sweet 16 round on Friday, March 13, at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

The takeaway

Hope College's dramatic overtime victory over Illinois Wesleyan showcases the team's resilience, composure, and ability to execute under pressure, particularly at the free-throw line. As the Flying Dutch advance to the Sweet 16, their tournament run will be closely watched as they continue to prove their mettle against top-tier competition.