Box Score Box Score

ST. PAUL -- Northwestern College used a 17-0 run to start the second half to beat Finlandia University 74-48 on Saturday afternoon. The victory puts the Eagles back in the win column after three consecutive losses.

Northwestern started out hot, outscoring the Lions 19-5 in the first 10 minutes. Finlandia battled back, eventually tying the score at 30-30 with 2:57 remaining in the first half before the Eagles hit a pair of three-pointers and a free throw to lead by seven at the break. Then came NWC's monster run, which included three treys, two of which came from Mollie Sir (Cresco, Iowa/Crestwood), and the Eagles held a 54-33 advantage.  Northwestern continued to pour on the offense, adding seven straight points a couple minutes later to build its margin to 26 points at the 12:30 mark of the second period.  Head coach Aaron Kahl was able to play his reserves for the last five minutes, and the Eagles left their home court with a 74-48 victory.

The Eagles moved the ball well, which turned into a better shooting percentage, better overall rebounding and fewer turnovers. NWC host 47 percent for the game - its best performance to date in 2011, while out-rebounding Finlandia 32-28. Four players scored in double figures for the Purple and Gold, including Jessica Fife (Maple Grove, Minn./Osseo), who recorded a double-double with 17 points on 7-9 shooting to go with 10 rebounds. Sir led all players with 18 points, while Chanel Madson (Westbrook, Minn./Westbrook-Walnut Grove) added 17 points on a 6-8 night that included a four-point play.

Finlandia was led by Marissa Burke's 17 points. Brierra Ruska followed with 11 points for the Lions, who were without their season's leading scorer in Shaikiera Armstrong, who was injured at North Central University on Friday night.

The Eagles improve to 2-4 overall and will get almost a week's worth of rest and practice in before returning to the court on Friday, Dec. 9 to host Luther College at 6 p.m.