HANCOCK, Mich. – Finlandia University defeated the Mount Mary University Blue Angels 87-32 today at the Paavo Nurmi Center. The loss puts the Blue Angels at 1-8 on the season, and the Lions are now 6-8 overall.
The Blue Angels ended the 2014 portion of the season on a high note, and were looking to carry that success into 2015. The Lions were the first team on this year's schedule and were more than rested from their winter break. Finlandia University came out hot, and with the full and refreshed roster, the Lions used a quick attacking offense to catch MMU off-guard early allowing the Lions to take a big lead.
A fast paced offense, and a team looking to do as much damage behind the three-point line as possible, Finlandia led 52-17 at half. The Lions went 7 for 18 from beyond the arc as opposed to the Blue Angels 1 for 6.
In a valiant effort, the Blue Angels did their best to limit the opposition's opportunities in the second half, and held the Lions to just 35 points also limiting the Finlandia to 23 percent from outside the three-point line.
Leading the scoring output for MMU, Becky Onan (Fr./Grafton, Wis.) and Chrisandra Freeman (Fr./Cedar Rapids, Iowa) both finished with 11 points. Freeman also had a team high seven rebounds, while Onan led the Blue Angels with two blocks on the defensive side.
Towards the end of the game, Marissa Rechlicz (Fr./West Allis, Wis.) came out of play after attempting to draw a charging call. Rechlicz did not return to action following the collision.
MMU will look to complete this weekend's doubleheader against Northland College tomorrow at 1:00 pm. A rematch for the teams, as the schools played Thanksgiving week at the Bloechl where NC held on in a 73-61 contest. The game on Sunday will be played at the Kendrigan Gymnasium in Ashland, Wis.
