HOLLAND, Mich. -- Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology battled to the final buzzer on Saturday afternoon but a late three-pointer by the Flying Dutch sank RHIT's upset bid of No. 10-ranked Hope College.
The Fightin' Engineers started off slow against Hope, falling behind 8-0 four minutes in to the contest. Chiarra Franklin broke the ice for Rose-Hulman, scoring the first RHIT basket at the 4:35 mark of first quarter. She finished with 12 points and seven boards. Rose would end the quarter on a 9-3 run.
Hope would use their physical defense and length to build a nine point lead with 2:25 remaining in the second quarter, but a veteran Rose-Hulman team did not back down from their nationally-ranked opponent. Trailing 25-16, the Fightin' Engineers used an energetic 11-3 run to end the period capped by an Abby Bromenschenkel three-pointer. Rose trailed 28-27 at the intermission.
RHIT carried its momentum into the third quarter and and went toe-to-toe with the tenth-ranked team in the nation. The Fighitn' Engineers would build their biggest lead of the contest at the 2:43 mark, 42-38, following a jumper from Franklin. The Flying Dutch closed the gap in the final minutes of the period and took a 45-44 lead into the final 10 minutes of action.
The fourth quarter had all the momentum changes and high-energy plays of a NCAA Tournament game. The Fightin' Engineers went back and forth with Hope all the way to the final minute. Rose-Hulman was leading by two, 60-58, with 36 seconds left in the game when Hope's Jacquelyn Schwark converted a three-point field goal to give the Flying Dutch a one point lead. RHIT turned the ball over on the ensuing possession but Hope College hit only one of two free throws to give Rose-Hulman another chance. A Taylor Graham three misfired and Rose-Hulman was not able to get another tying attempt off as Hope cleared the rebound.
Leading Rose-Hulman was Ally Bromenschenkel, who finished with a game-high 22 points and nine rebounds. She was named to the All-Tournament Team after averaging 18 points and eight rebounds over the course of the weekend. Chiarra Franklin also garnered All-Tournament Team honors after averaging 11 points and five boards over the course of the weekend. Senior Lindsey Fagerberg added all nine of her points in the second half for Rose.
The Fightin' Engineers fell to 1-1 on the season while No. 10 Hope improved to 2-0. Rose will travel to No. 22 Chicago on Tuesday November 21. Tip off from the Ratner Center is set for 7 p.m. ET.
