HANCOCK — Finlandia University gave it their best shot Saturday afternoon against Alma College in men’s basketball play, but came up just short.

Kyle Woodruff’s heroics lifted Alma to a 97-89 win.

Tied up at 85-85 in the final two minutes of action at Paavo Nurmi Gym, the Lions were ultimately done in when Woodruff of the Scots canned a pair of 3-pointers.

“He (Woodruff) stepped up and made the shots, give him credit,” FU coach Sam Casey said. “But I thought we played a good basketball game against a good team.”

Alma, a member of the MIAA, improved to 6-5 so far.

The Lions (0-14) appeared to have a good shot at victory when they grabbed a 78-71 margin with four minutes left on a three-pointers by Dylan Underwood and Devin Moultrie.

By the Scots, who nailed 14 triples from long range, kept blazing away. Woodruff made six treys himself and Steve Harvey added three more.

Underwood, who played a fine overall game with 17 points, 10 rebounds and six assists, kept Finlandia in the game, however.

“Dylan was all over the court,” Casey said. “He drove us in these game.”

It was a close game all the way, FU breaking from an early 12-12 deadlock to assume a 44-41 halftime lead.

Alma also used a significant size advantage to wear down the Lions, a fact not lost on Casey.

“We just don’t have anyone that size to combat their inside game,” Casey said. “It’s something we’ve faced all season.”

With several players standing 6-foot-5 and above, the invaders managed a 46-42 rebounding margin.

Underwood and Moultrie led the losers with 17 points each. Kaleb Kirksey tossed in 13 points and 8 boards, and Joe Heinonen (Superior Central) had ten more points.

River Shumate contributed 9 points before fouling out late in the contest.

Alma placed six players in double figures, Woodruff leading with 20.

Harvey tossed in 16 more, with 6-8 Zach Sinke putting in 15. Isiah Williamson was good for 14 points and Ryan Stevens notched 13 points and 13 assists.

The Lions will travel to Gogebic Community College mext week.

Alma 41 36 — 97

Finlandia 44 45 — 89

ALMA (97) Rake 9, Harvey 16, Sinke 15, Williamson 13, Stevens 13, Kliever 14. Woodruff 20. FG: 31-70. FT: 21-25. Rebounds: 46 (Harvey 9). F: 15. Fouled out: None. 3-point FG: Woodruff 6, Harvey 3, Kleiver 2, Williamson 2, Sinke 1.

FINLANDIA (89): Heinonen 10, Oom 7, Kirksey 13, Hendrickson 8, Shumate 9, Underwood 17, Moultrie 17, DeShields-Beard 2, Johnston 6. FG: 33-75. FT: 10-15. Rebounds: 42 (Underwood 10). F: 23. Fouled out: Shumate. 3-point FG: Underwood 3. Kirksey 2, Hendrickson 2, Johnston 2, Oom 1. Moultrie 1.