SUPERIOR, Wis. — 2022 went out with a bang as the Finlandia University women’s basketball team (5-9) knocked off St. Catherine (5-3) 91-82 in double overtime, Saturday afternoon at Mertz Mortorelli Gym.

Like the night before, Finlandia had the lead for all but 54 second the entire period.  Junior Natalie Bartle knocked down a jumper to put the Lions up 15-14 with 56 seconds left.

In the second period, St. Catherine trailed by 11 at the 8:39 mark before creeping back in. The Wildcats hit two three throws to end an 8-0 run to lead 28-25 with 2:01 left. Senior Martina Jahfetson hit a bucket from the Hollywood sign to tie the game 30-30 at the break.

The third period was more like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. SCU controlled the first five minutes with FinnU dominating the last five minutes. St. Catherine was up by eight, 38-30 with 6:48 to go.

Finlandia went on a 20-2 run. Freshman Kalli Chynoweth used her long-distance calling plan to make it 49-40, Lions with 33 seconds left.

The fourth period went back-and-forth. The game seemed over with FinnU up, 67-62 with 30 seconds left. The Wildcats scored five points to force overtime.

In the first overtime, SCU was up 73-69 with 1:34 left. Senior Casana Ryynanen hit two free throws to cut it to two. Sophomore Maija Rice scored with 28 seconds left and off we went into another OT.

Finlandia led virtually the entire second overtime period. Up four with 1:51 left, the Lions scored six straight to seal the deal.

For Finlandia, Bartle had 33 points and two steals while Rice had 20 points, 11 rebounds, two steals and blocked two shots. Junior Bethany Baldwin had 14 points, eight rebounds and four steals off the bench. 

For St. Catherine, Sam Orth had 27 points and 10 rebounds and Bree Glynn had 18 points and nine rebounds.

Up next

Finlandia keeps to the road, Tuesday taking on Northwestern (Minn.). The game is scheduled to start at 6 p.m.