Lions lag behind Big Reds
HOLLAND, Mich. – Junior Natalie Bartle had a double-double Saturday afternoon at the DeVos Fieldhouse as the Finlandia University women’s basketball team (2-3) lost 84-80 to Denison (1-2). Natalie Bartle was named to the All-Hope College Tournament Team.
The team played tight throughout the first half. Finlandia led for the first eight minutes. Denison scored the last five points to lead 16-13 into the second third.
The Big Reds outplayed the Lions 50-41 in the next two periods and led by 12 points into the fourth round. With 5:38 to go, senior Casana Ryynanen was 10 points down and hit a bucket to start the comeback trail.
Cashing in on her long-distance calling card, Bartle reduced the deficit to 83-80 with 13 seconds left. Denison hit a free throw with six ticks remaining to seal the game.
For Finlandia, Bartle had 24 points, 10 rebounds and four steals. It was her third straight game with over 20 points. Sophomore Elli Djerf had 17 points and six steals and Ryynanen scored 10 points.
For Denison, Mikaila Carpenter and Gabby Elliott each scored 17 points.
Finlandia falls to the Flying Dutch
HOLLAND, Mich. – The Finlandia University women’s basketball team lost 92-40 to No. 1 Hope on Friday night at the DeVos Fieldhouse. This was the first day of the Hope College Tournament.
Hope tried to tuck that away just outside the gates and took an 11-0 lead with 6:56 to go. Junior Natalie Bartle hit a layup that set Finlandia on a 10-3 run.
Senior Casana Ryynanen hit a hard 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 game with over 20 points.
Claire Baguley scored 16 points for Hope.
Next
Finlandia travel to Marquette on Tuesday, November 22 to play Northern Michigan. The game is scheduled to start at 7 p.m