12/05/06

Finlandia University didn’t go down without a fight, but the 24 point lead St. Scholastica streaked to in the second half was too much for the Lions to overcome in the 75-63 Saints victory Tuesday night in the Reif Center at St. Scholastica.

With a taller line-up and much deeper bench – the Saints subs outscored Finlandia’s 39 to 16 – St. Scholastica (3-2) was able to run the floor at will or send the ball in deep to the post almost all game long.

Megan Downs’ 15 points in the first half helped push the Saints to a 41-31 lead at the intermission. The deeper St. Scholastica bench then allowed the Saints to stretch their 10-point margin to 24 with 5:41 to play in the second half.

Finlandia whittled away at the lead down the stretch but the margin was just too great to overcome.

Downs finished with a game high 19. Jessie Stenberg chipped in with 14 points while Whitney Latham added 11 for the Saints. In all, 11 players scored in the game for St. Scholastica.

Bridgette LaPointe (15 points) and Jody Riutta (11) led the Lions (1-5).

The Saints open conference action with their next game, a 3 p.m. start on Saturday against Northland College in the Reif at St. Scholastica.