HANCOCK — Free throws were the deciding factor as the Finlandia University women’s basketball team (4-7) lost 58-47 to Wisconsin-Stout (7-1), Friday night at the Paavo Nurmi Center.

Finlandia came out on fire scoring the first nine points of the game. The Lions continued to put the pressure on UW-Stout as they led the entire first half.

In the third period, senior Casana Ryynanen hit a tough lay-up. That made it 36-22, FinnU at the 7:09 mark. The Blue Devils scored 11 straight points and three times, cut the gap to two.

In the fourth period, Finlandia was up 44-41 with 8:56 to go. Stout scored 11 straight to lead by eight. Sophomore Elli Djerf rattled in a triple to make it 52-47 with 1:52 to go. UW-Stout hit four free throws to pull away.

FinnU pulled down 30 defensive rebounds to 15 for Stout. The Lions held the Blue Devils to 31.7% from the floor and 18.2% on 3-pointers.

For Finlandia, junior Natalie Bartle had 14 points, six assists and six steals, sophomore Maija Rice scored 11 points and freshman Hannah Whitted had eight points and 13 rebounds.

For UW-Stout, Amanda Giesen had 17 points and 18 rebounds.