Lions knock out the Sabercats

WATERTOWN, Wis. — Milestones and a record was set as the Finlandia University women’s basketball team (11-11) beat Maranatha Baptist (4-14) 102-42, Saturday afternoon at Sabercat Gym.

For the first five minutes, Maranatha Baptist hung in there with Finlandia, trailing by five.  Up eight at the end of the first period, the Lions went on a 13-3 run in the first five minute to end the game.

FinnU was strong on the defensive end pulling down 56 rebounds to just 29 for MBU and held them to 23.9% from the floor and 25% on 3-pointers.  This is the first time in school history that a men’s or women’s team scored 100 points in back-to-back games.

For Finlandia, junior Natalie Bartle had 35 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and three steals, junior Bethany Baldwin had 21 points, nine rebounds, five steals and blocked three shots and freshman Hannah Whitted had 16 points and 10 rebounds.

Bartle broke the single season school record for field goals made with 182.  The old mark was 175 by Beth Koski (2002-03).  She is also the first player in school history, male or female, to score 35+ points in back-to-back games.

For Maranatha Baptist, Katelyn Morrison scored 12 points.

Finlandia hits the century on Blue Angels

MILWAUKEE, Wis. — A milestone was set as the Lions beat Mount Mary (6-17) 103-62, Friday night at the Bloechel Center.

For the first quarter, Mount Mary took it to Finlandia. The Blue Angels had the lead for all but 24 seconds of the opening period.

Down one heading into the second period, MMU and FinnU traded buckets in the first minute. Freshman Kalli Chynoweth dropped one in from the parking lot at the Paavo. That started a 24-4 run which sealed the game.

This was the first time in school history, the Lions have scored over 100 points twice in the same season. FinnU did on the strength of 56.2% from the floor, 43.8% on 3-pointers and 93.3% from the line.

For Finlandia, junior Natalie Bartle had 36 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and four steals. Scoring in double figures was junior Bethany Baldwin with 17 points and 10 rebounds, sophomore Maija Rice with 14, freshman Hannah Whitted had 10 points and eight rebounds sophomore Elli Djerf scored 10 points.

For Mount Mary, Deja Rivers had 30 points and eight rebounds and Skye Giddings scored 20 points.

Up next

Finlandia is off until Feb. 23-25 when they travel to Fredericksburg, Va., to compete in the Coast-To-Coast Conference Championship.