HANCOCK, Mich. – The Blue Angel basketball team concluded its northward weekend road trip Saturday afternoon, falling to Finlandia University 90-43.
Despite getting to the free-throw line 22 times—compared to just seven for the Lions—the Blue Angels converted on just 10 of those trips for 46 percent. Free-throw struggles aside, MMU was also outshot 49.3 percent (35-for-71) to 29.6 percent (16-for-54) from the floor as Finlandia cruised to an efficient home victory.
Mount Mary (1-12) was led by senior guard Emily Barker (Oconomowoc, Wis.), who tallied 17 points and 11 rebounds for her first double-double of the season. Senior forward Ashley Leverenz (Mauston, Wis.) was held to a season-low five points to go with eight rebounds.
Sophomore Doni Yendriga (Conneaut, Ohio) added nine points and a season-high 14 rebounds in Saturday's loss.
The Blue Angels took an early lead by opening the game with a Barker layup and the senior sunk a 3-pointer to push MMU ahead 5-3 at the 17:46 mark. However, Finlandia (6-10) would respond with an 11-0 run over the next two minutes to take control, eventually pushing to a 47-22 lead at the half.
It would take nearly five minutes before the Angels would hit its first field goal in the second half, as freshman forward Taylor Baumgart (Burlington, Wis.) hit a jumper to score two of her six points in the game.
The Lions would lead by as many as 49 late in the second half before securing the 47-point 90-43 final decision.
Mount Mary will look forward to its return to the Bloechl Center Tuesday, hosting Silver Lake College (6-5). The Lakers used a huge first half onslaught to take control in the teams' first meeting on December 16, as all 11 SLC players scored in the 84-45 victory.
Tuesday evening will also be MMU's Awards Night for four Blue Angels—seniors Emily Barker and Ashley Leverenz both graduated this past December and will finish up their basketball careers the following week at MacMurray College.
Freshman Phoenix Hulsey (Wauwatosa, Wis.) and sophomore Yolanda Coleman (Wauwatosa, Wis.) will finish out the entire 2013-14 campaign, but will conclude their final season in a Mount Mary uniform due to differing academic program conflicts.
Game time against the Lakers is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. in Milwaukee.
