Box Score Box Score

DULUTH, Minn. – The St. Scholastica women's basketball team took care of Finlandia University (Mich.) 80-53 tonight at Reif Gym.

The Saints improve to 7-8 this season, while the Lions fall to 3-12 on the campaign. CSS has won six straight games at home against the Lions.

Both teams exchanged baskets early as the score was tied five times in the first nine minutes. However, the Saints then went on a 12-0 run to go up 27-15 with seven minutes to go in the half. Finlandia got the margin down to five, but CSS closed the half on a 10-1 run to go into halftime with a 37-23 lead.

The Saints shot 40-percent in the half and out-rebounded the Lions 27-17, including 10 offensive rebounds. The Saints out-scored the Lions 16-2 in second-chance points in the first half. The Lions shot 33-percent in the first 20 minutes.

The Saints went on a 10-2 run with 10 minutes to go in the game to extend their lead to 61-39. The margin did get below 20 the rest of the way as the Saints cruised to an 80-53 victory.

St. Scholastica shot 43-percent for the game and was 12-for-15 from the free throw line. The Saints also made six, 3-pointers. Finlandia shot 33-percent and committed 21 turnovers. The Saints' bench was strong, out-scoring the Lions' bench 28-5.

#Katie Christensen# (Sr.-Elk River, Minn.) led the Saints with 17 points. #Kirsten Haukom# (Sr.-Marshall, Minn.) added 15 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. #Kelly Cinquegrani# (Jr.-Buffalo, Minn.) scored 10 points and #Laura Amys# (So.-South Range, Wis./Superior) had a team-high 10 rebounds. Jodi Riutta led Finlandia with 16 points.

The Saints will be back in Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) action on Saturday when they travel to face conference leader Northland College. The game is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m.