Hancock, MI- The Mount Mary Blue Angel basketball team took the floor Saturday seeking a third straight win away from home and a 7th win overall on the season. Finlandia University prevented both with physical play and smothering defense on the ball as they defeated the Blue Angels by an 80-48 final.
Mount Mary was able to hang around with the Lions for the game's first eight minutes, but in both the first and second quarters Finlandia finished on runs and stretched out their lead. MMU trailed 41-21 at half and the game largely played even in the second half.
Deja Rivers continued her stellar play with 19 points and five rebounds. Among shooters averaging over 10 field goal attempts per game, Rivers currently sits 9th in all of NCAA Division 3 in field goal percentage.
Skye Giddings dropped in 16 points and India Lucas scored 8 to go with 8 rebounds.
While Finlandia did shoot slightly better than the Angels, remarkably 19 of Mount Mary's 24 turnovers came directly off of Finlandia steals, which was largely the difference in the game.
Mount Mary (6-13) will play a 4th straight road game before returning to the Bloechl center on January 31st. This road trip will be in state however, on Thursday, January 26th, Mount Mary will face Maranatha Baptist University in Watertown. The game will tip at 7 pm and all coverage will be available on www.mtmaryathletics.com
