Paul Peterson photo Myles Ellington of Finlandia University forces his way past a pair of Millikin University defenders Saturday at Paavo Nurmi Gym.

HANCOCK — An auspicious start wasn’t enough to lift the Finlandia University men’s basketball team past a physical Millikin University squad Saturday afternoon.

The Illinois-based team posted a 79-62 win at Paavo Nurmi Gymnasium in the home opener for the Lions.

“They (Big Blue) had more size and more quickness,” Lions’ coach Mike O’Donnell said after his team’s second loss of the young season. “But I liked the way we started out the game, though. We just weren’t able to sustain it. We’re still a young and learning basketball team.”

FU hit a trio of 3-point baskets to open the game and held a 12-5 lead just five minutes in. But the Blue and White could only manage to hit two more shots from long range after that.

Milliken took its first lead at 16-15 later in the opening half as Elijah Henry showed the way offensively.

The play of big (6-foot-6, 265 pounds) Jordan Cunningham in the pivot was another key for the Big Blue.

“They had some big guys inside and they wore us down as the game progressed,” O’Donnell noted.

Three early fouls on normally high-scoring Brandon Robinette didn’t help, either.

With a 42-33 lead at intermission, MU slowly expanded on the margin in the second half, reaching 20 points at 65-45.

Dylan Underwood, who led the Finlandia cause with 18 points, and Tristan Johnston keyed a comeback that narrowed it to 71-58 with three minutes left.

But the invaders notched eight points in a row to lock it up.

Ricky Watson added nine points for the locals, while Austin Carlson chipped in eight points, five boards and two blocks.

“I thought Austin Carlson battled inside against some bigger players,” O’Donnell commented.

Henry led Millikin with a game-best 23 points and 18 rebounds. Michael Beaty was strong with 16 points and nine rebounds, while Cunningham pitched in 14 points.

The victors held a commanding 48-22 rebounding edge.

FU will play next at Northland College on Nov. 29.

MILLIKIN — Charles 3, Cunningham 14, Harrell 9, Henry 23, Pygon 8, Beaty 16, Snarski 3; Laws 2, Catledge 1. FG: 27-63: FT: 20-27; Rebounds: 48 (Henry 18: Fouls: 18; Fouled out: Laws; 3-point FG: Pygon, Henry 2, Cunningham 1.

FINLANDIA — Robinette 5, Johnston 10, Carlson 8, Underwood 18, Watson 9, Ellington 7, Green 2, Browner 3. FG: 23-47; FT: 11-19; Rebounds: 22 (Ellington 6); Fouls: 19; Fouled out: Green; 3-point FG: Johnston 3, Underwood 1, Robinette 1.

Halftime score: MU 42, FU 33.