Finlandia forward Jack Matrella carries the ball up the floor during a game this season at the Paavo Nurmi Center in Hancock. The Lions dropped both games this week to teams downstate. (Photo courtesy of Finlandia University)

Lions fall to the Comets

OLIVET, Mich. — Freshman John Schutz and senior Danny Zuchak scored in double figures as the Finlandia Lions men’s basketball team (2-10) lost 106-57 to Olivet (3-6) Thursday afternoon at Cutler Event Center.

For the first six minutes, Finlandia and Olivet played on even terms. At the 14:10 mark, freshman Jordan Askew knocked down a jumper.

That cut the gap to six, 19-13. The Comets went on a 12-1 run over the next three minutes to effectively end the contest.

For Finlandia, Zuchak had 22 points and was 7-of-14 from the floor and 8-0f-10 from the line while Schutz scored 12 points. Zuchak had a steal to push his consecutive steal streak to eight games.

For Olivet, Derrick Johnson had 20 points.

Finlandia falls to Hornets

KALAMAZOO, Mich. — The Lions lost 108-59 to Kalamazoo College (2-8), Wednesday night at the Anderson Athletic Center.

The first half resembled a track meet as Finlandia and Kalamazoo College combined to score 99 points.  The margin was under four almost the entire way.

Three times in the last six minutes, the Lions pulled to within one. Zuchak knocked in a three-pointer from the North Pole to make it 52-47, Hornets at the break.

Schutz hit a tough 10-footer to make it 55-49 at the 19:00 mark of the second half.  Kalamazoo scored 11 straight points to take control.

For Finlandia, Zuchak had 17 points and four steals. This is the seventh straight game that he has had at least one steal.

For Kalamazoo College, D.J. Courtney had 18 points.

Up next

Finlandia is off until Monday, Jan. 2, when they play Saint Mary’s (Minn.).  The game is scheduled to start at 4 p.m.