ST. PAUL – The University of Northwestern jumped out to an early lead and never looked back in its second victory of the season over visiting Finlandia University. The Eagles, who received a double-double effort from Jacki Smith (Shoreview, Minn./Concordia Academy), led 30-18 at the break before winning 61-48 on Wednesday evening.

Northwestern, who trailed by two in the initial three minutes, got a jump start on back-to-back three-pointers by Kim Campbell (Bloomington, Minn./Kennedy) and Chanel Madson (Westbrook, Minn./Westbrook-Walnut Grove) and took off from there, pouring in a layup by Smith and another long distance make by Campbell to lead 11-5. The run continued, as Smith drained a three-point make of her own to put the Purple and Gold ahead by a double-digit margin that wouldn't go away the rest of the half. With the Eagles leading 24-12 at the 7:12 mark of the period, five different UNW players had scored. Smith was the do-it-all producer, adding a layup at the six-minute mark followed by a pair of blocks that kept the home team in control, leading by 12 at halftime.

Finlandia, who the Eagles beat on the same court less than two weeks ago, cut the Northwestern buffer to seven within the first three minutes of Period 2, but a Madson trey brought the lead right back to 10. With 12:02 left, the gap between the two teams was up to 16 thanks to makes by UNW's Jessica Cole (Altoona, Iowa/Southeast Polk) and Jenny Chamberlain (Blaine, Minn./Blaine). Smith's made jumper at 7:53 maxed out the buffer at 17 as Northwestern head coach Aaron Kahl had his second line going in full force in the game's final minutes, allowing the Eagles to cruise to a 13-point victory, one more point than the win on Nov. 21 against the Lions.

Northwestern went 21-49 (42.9 percent) in overall shooting, improving its win-loss record to 3-1 when the Eagles shoot 40 percent or better from the floor. Smith was one of three UNW players in double figures, scoring 11 points to go with 13 rebounds, while adding five blocks to up her career program-record total to 142. Madson was good for 13 points, while Campbell, who was named the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) Player of the Week on Tuesday, finished with 12 points.

While the Eagles held Finlandia to 27 percent shooting, they also out-rebounded the Lions 44-36. Brooke Turin went 4-5 to lead Finlandia (2-5) with 11 points off the bench.

With the win, Northwestern improves to 4-2 overall and gets a nice break as a result, not having to play again until next Monday. That contest, against Hamline University, another team that the Eagles have already hosted one time this season, will take place in the Ericksen Center with the tipoff scheduled for 7 p.m.