DE PERE, Wis. — A strong second half was not enough as the Finlandia University men’s basketball team (2-8) lost 90-60 to No. 11 UW-Whitewater (9-1), Friday night at Connie Tilley Court. 

Finlandia drew first blood as freshman Dylan Underwood knocked down a jumper 26 seconds into the game. The Lions stayed in the hunt down by two after four minutes. UW-Whitewater reeled off 22 straight points over the next seven minutes to seal the game.

The Lions played a strong second half shooting 52 percent from the floor and 50 percent from behind the arc.

For Finlandia, sophomore Geoff Smart had 13 points and nine rebounds, Underwood had 11 points, two steals and blocked two shots and junior Brandon Robinette had 10 points, three steals and blocked three shots.

For UW-Whitewater, Andrew Brown had 20 points and Michael Pfeifer scored 19.

Finlandia remains on the road Saturday, Dec. 30 taking on Blackburn in De Pere, Wis. in the Nicolet National Bank Holiday Tournament. The game is scheduled to start at 5 p.m. CST.