Blue Devils can't hold off Finlandia, fall to Lions 73-67

Finlandia University 73, UW-Stout 67 

MENOMONIE (December 21, 2021) - UW-Stout owned most of the first quarter, but that would be it as the Finlandia Lions roared back to hand the Blue Devils a 73-67 upset Tuesday on Dewey Mintz Court in Johnson Fieldhouse. 

Stout (5-5) jumped out to a 10 point lead in the first period, opening the game on a 14-4 run over the first four minutes and looked to have things well in hand. The teams traded baskets for next two minutes and the Blue Devils held a 16-8 lead. The Lions (5-6) roared, scored the next eight points to tie the game at 16-16 with 45 seconds left. Raegan Sorensen gave Stout an 18-16 lead at the quarter break.

Neither team assumed control throughout much of the second period. Finlandia took a 25-23 lead on a 3-pointer by Bailey Froberg. Haylee Yaeger answered tie the game for Stout. Mariah Austin pushed Finlandia ahead by a bucket, but Stout's Lizzy Olsem erased the lead with two free throws. Maija Rice put Finlandia ahead with 18 seconds left and basket at the buzzer by Olsem tied the game at 29 heading into halftime.

With Stout shooting only 33 percent from the floor in the third period and Finlandia shooting at a 64 percent clip in the same time frame, the Lions took as much as a 14 point lead in the quarter and led 55-44 at the end of the period.

Stout got as close as three points early in the fourth, going on a 9-2 run, but Finlandia would have the answer again-and-again, building the lead back out to seven points.

The Blue Devils had one more push late in the game, cutting the lead to two points, 69-67, with 36 seconds left, but Finlandia scored the final four points of the game for the six point win.

Finlandia shot 52.6 percent for the game (30-57) from the floor and hit 4 of 14 3-pointers and 9 of 10 free throws. Stout shot 40.7 percent for the game (24-59), hitting 1 of 8 3-pointers and 18 of 27 from the line.

Finlandia's Bailey Froberg led all scorers with 23 points. Carsyn Osterman added 12 points, and Katie Lundeen and Brooke Dalgord each scored 10 points. 

Amanda Giesen and Yaeger each dropped in 15 points for Stout and Sorensen added 12 points. Stout held a slight 35-33 advantage in free throws with Anna Mutch collecting a game-high eight boards.

Both teams committed 20 turnovers, but Finlandia colleged 14 steals to Stout's seven. 

Stout return to action Tuesday, Dec. 28 at Aurora University, then take a day off before facing Rockford University, Thursday, Dec. 30.