DEFIANCE, Ohio – The Defiance College women’s basketball team will open up its 2008-09 home schedule Tuesday, November 25, when it hosts nationally ranked Hope College at 7:30 p.m. DC will look to avenge this weekend’s loss to the Flying Dutch in the Tip-Off Tournament title game with its first victory over a ranked opponent since the 1998-99 campaign.

The Jackets claimed nine of their ten wins last season at the Karl H. Weaner Center, defeating their opponents by over 16 points per game in those victories. Defiance enters the game with a 2-2 record, while reaching the program’s 600-win milestone with a 78-59 victory over Olivet. DC’s fast-paced offense is averaging 67 points per game this year, which includes 26 points per night from its deep bench. The Jacket’s up-tempo game has also created havoc on opposing offenses, as they have forced a HCAC-leading 101 turnovers this season.

Hope returns one starter from its 2007-08 squad, which went 30-1 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals. The Flying Dutch have gone 110-10 in the past four seasons, including its 2006 national championship season. Hope comes into the game averaging 80 points per contest, outscoring their opponents by 16 points per game. The Flying Dutch have shot 47 percent from the field on the year, while holding their opponents to just 33.1 percent shooting.

Defiance holds a 6-5 lead in the series, which dates back to DC’s days as a member of the MIAA. DC head coach Dic Doumanian is looking for his first victory over the Flying Dutch, while Hope mentor Brian Morehouse is 5-1 all-time versus the Jackets.

Defiance will face Siena Heights on Dec. 2, before opening up its HCAC schedule with a game at Hanover on Dec. 6.