Ending an 18-day layoff by taking on the top-ranked team in the NCAA Division III was not a recipe for success for the Central College women’s basketball team Saturday. Competing in the Hope College RDV Orlando Tournament, the Dutch (2-6) were overwhelmed by No. 1 Hope College (Mich.) 98-42. It was Central’s most lopsided defeat since 2008.

It was the 56th consecutive win for Hope (11-0), which exploded for a 27-2 burst to take a 31-7 lead after one quarter and cruised from there. It was 54-17 at intermission.

Center Allison Van Gorp had 11 points and a pair of blocked shots for Central. Guard Kassidi Steel had a team-high eight rebounds and four assists. Hope outshot Central 55.9% to 38.1% and held a 36-30 rebounding advantage. Ball security was Central’s biggest issue, with a season-worst 34 turnovers.

Central’s second game in the RDV Orlando Tournament, a Thursday contest with Illinois College, was canceled due to health and safety concerns.

Central College placed two players in double figures but Hope College (Mich.) came away with an 87-70 victory in Florida Wednesday. Competing in the Hope College RDV Orlando Tournament, the host school got the win but Dutch coach Craig Douma was encouraged.

Forward Kole Tupa pumped in 20 points and freshman center Josh Van Gorp added 17 on 7-of-7 shooting for Central.

Meanwhile point guard Drew Edwards dished out a career-high nine assists. The Dutch (3-8) outshot Hope 51.1% to 48.4% but only led once after the opening minute. Hope (7-4) outrebounded Central 32-28. Central was without veteran forward Caden Mauck, who is sidelined but expected back when the team returns to Iowa.

Hope led 40-36 at intermission and Central scrapped its way to a brief 43-42 lead on a Tupa layup with 18:27 left. But Hope reasserted command with a 15-5 run and held a double-digit lead the rest of the way. The Dutch committed 18 turnovers, hit only 18 of 29 free throws and were 4-of-13 from 3-point range, including 1-of-8 in the second half.

Central was slated to conclude play in the tourney Thursday against North Central College (Ill.) but the game was called off due to health and safety concerns. The Cardinals (7-4) pushed Hope to overtime Tuesday before sustaining an 89-84 loss. Central returns to action at home next Wednesday, Jan. 5 with an American Rivers game against Wartburg College. It’s part of a women’s-men’s doubleheader at P.H. Kuyper Gymnasium.