Paul Peterson photo Carli Daavettila of Finlandia University cuts between two Crown College defenders in Saturday's game at Paavo Nurmi Gym. The Lions were 71-63 winners.

HANCOCK — The Finlandia University women’s basketball team received its usual production from veterans in a 71-63 win over Crown College Saturday.

Brooke Turin, Kelsie Richards and Julia Daavettila combined for 46 points and 24 rebounds in the game at Paavo Nurmi Gym.

But it was a freshman, Taylor Pertile, who came up with some clutch plays down the stretch.

Pertile, the Hancock High product, scored 10 points and made two big steals to help the Lions to their third win in six tries this season.

Marissa Burke, FU’s assistant coach, said Pertile made “huge plays for us.”

“I can’t say enough about how well Taylor played tonight,” said Burke, who was filling in for head coach Terry Klemett. “She played big minutes and made big shots.”

Klemett was serving a one-game suspension for undisclosed reasons.

The Lions led virtually the whole way until the Storm sliced the deficit to 63-61 with 2:03 left.

Pertile then stepped up and hit a basket from the baseline before making a key steal that led to a basket by Turin. That restored order at 67-61 with 45 ticks left.

Burke said the Lions showed improvement in two major areas: rebounding and hitting 3-pointers.

“We talked a lot about boxing out better under the basket,” she noted. “We also talked about setting our feet on the outside shots and that helped.”

While FU’s 9 of 30 shooting from long distance wasn’t anything to write home about, it was appreciably better than the 11 of 54 showing the night before against Minnesota Morris.

Turin, the former Ontonagon High standout, dropped in 21 points to show the way. She also added a team-high 10 rebounds and made four steals.

“Brooke Turin had a really nice game,” Burke said. “She showed her leadership today.”:

Richards (Houghton) was next with 14 points — all coming the second half. Daavettila (Dollar Bay) notched 10 points and seven rebounds, while Pertile had 10 more. Mikayla Hakala chipped in eight points and four assists.

Hannah Malone’s 17 points topped the Storm. Andrea Besa and Kayla Carter divided 24 points.

The Lions head to St. Scholastica Friday night.

CROWN COLLEGE — Carter 12, Brueggeman 6, Greenfield 6, Malone 17, Besa 12, Kucza 2, Stricklin 4, Szcsybak 4. FG: 24-61; FT: 9-14; Rebounds: 40 (Carter 9); Fouls: 22; Fouled out: None; 3-point FG; Besa 2, Greenfield 2,Brueggeman 2.

FINLANDIA — Turin 21, Richards 14, Hakala 8, J. Daavettila 10, Hebert 4, C. Daavettila 3, Pertile 10. FG: 22-51; FT: 16-23; Rebounds: 41 (Turin 10); Fouls: 19; Fouled out: None; 3-point FG: Turin 2, Richards 2, Hakala 2, C. Daavettla 1, Hebert 1, J. Daavettila 1.

Halftime score: FU 27, Crown 22.