HANCOCK — Finlandia University gave highly regarded Riverland Community College aii it wanted Friday night in men’s basketball play at Paavo Nurmi Gym.

But the much taller Blue Devils, now 13-1 on the season, wore down the Lions in the second half on the way to a 76-68 win in the season finale for Finlandia.

“I thought we played as hard as we could,” Lions coach Allen Doherity said. “We had something going in the first half, we couldn’t sustain it.”

The Blue Devils fielded a line up of 6-foot-9, 6-7 and 6-6, and that was enough to wash away a 36-25 halftime deficit.

In fact, Finlandia led by as much as 30-11 at one point in the opening half behind the play of senior Dylan Underwood and Ra’quan Funches.

But the visitors warmed up the second half behind Keyshawn Payne and 6-9 Dominic Bangu.

They regained the lead at 54-52 and held on behind some deadly free throw shooting (16 of 20) in the second portion of the game.

Underwood closed out his career at Finlandia with 21 points and five steals. He laced 13 points in the first half as Riverland concentrated its defense on him in the second half.

“Dylan never stopped hustling,” his coach said. “He played hard all the way.”

Jamhad Hines was next in line for the locals with 13 points. Emmett Johnson and Funches combined for 17 more.

Joe Heinonen and Noah Prestia each grabbed 8 rebounds for the Lions.

Riverland 25 51 — 76

Finlandia 36 32 — 68