HANCOCK — It was nip-and-tuck all the way, but the Finlandia University women’s basketball team had enough at the end for a big 67-65 win over Wisconsin-Superior Thursday night.

The win marked the first time that FU has been able to defeat the Yellow Jackets.

“As far as I know, it’s the first time our women’s program has beaten them,” Lions coach Mariah Dunham said. “It’s a milestone win for us.”

While leading virtually the entire contest, the Lions couldn’t take a deep breath until the final six seconds at Paavo Nurmi Gym.

That was when former Baraga High standout Carsyn Osterman hit two free throws for a four-point margin, making a final basket by the Yellow Jackets just window dressing.

“Carsen (Osterman) is one of our better free throw shooters,” Dunham noted. “She’s pretty cool in the clutch and she was again tonight

The Lions, playing their home debut, moved to 3-1 in the oft-delayed season.

The Blue and White held a 14-13 lead after the first quarter.

Thanks to the inside play of junior center Katie Lundeen, FU upped the count to 33-29 at the half.

Lundeen, slowed by a knee sprain, put in 15 of her game-leading 23 points in the first half.

“Katie wasn’t completely healthy tonight, but she gutted it out,” Dunham said.

UW-S kept it close in the second half as Bryton Kukowski totaled all 12 of her points in that span.

But Finlandia received some key baskets from Lundeen down the stretch to maintain its slender lead. 

Osterman had four key charities in that time. She had 11 points in all, while Katie Loman added ten more and some “good defense” according to her coach.

Ellie Lindstrom topped the Jackets with 14 points.

The Lions will host Bryant & Stratton at 1 p.m. Saturday.