Finlandia women drop both games in tournament | News, Sports, Jobs

Lions fall short of Big Reds

HOLLAND, Mich. – Junior Natalie Bartle had a double-double as the Finlandia University women’s basketball team (2-3) lost 84-80 to Denison (1-2), Saturday afternoon at DeVos Fieldhouse. Natalie Bartle was named to the All-Hope College Tournament team.

The team played tight throughout the whole first period. Finlandia held the lead for the first eight minutes. Denison scored the final five points to lead 16-13 heading into the second period.

The Big Reds outscored the Lions 50-41 over the next two periods to lead by 12 heading into the fourth. Down 10 with 5:38 to go, senior Casana Ryynanen hit a bucket to start the comeback trail.

Bartle cashed in her long-distance calling card, cutting the gap to 83-80 with 13 seconds to go. Denison hit a free throw with six ticks left to seal the game.

For Finlandia, Bartle had 24 points, 10 rebounds and four steals. It was her third straight 20+ point game. Sophomore Elli Djerf had 17 points and six steals and Ryynanen scored 10 points.

For Denison, Mikaila Carpenter and Gabby Elliott scored 17 points each.

Finlandia falls to the Flying Dutch

HOLLAND, Mich. – The Finlandia University women’s basketball team lost 92-40 to No. 1 Hope, Friday night at DeVos Fieldhouse. This was day one of the Hope College Tournament.

Hope tried to put this one away right out of the gates, getting off to an 11-0 lead with 6:56 to go. Junior Natalie Bartle hit a lay-up that started a 10-3 run by Finlandia.

Senior Casana Ryynanen knocked down a tough shot in the paint. That put the Lions within four, 14-10 at the 3:19 mark. The Flying Dutch scored nine straight points to effectively end the game.

For Finlandia, Bartle had 24 points with two steals. It was her second straight 20-plus point game.

For Hope, Claire Baguley scored 16 points.

Up next

Finlandia heads to Marquette, Tuesday, Nov. 22, to play Northern Michigan. The game is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.