ST. PAUL— The University of Northwestern women's basketball team conquered the Lions of Finlandia University Friday night with a 79-51 victory at the Ericksen Center. Northwestern improves to 13-4 this season. 

Finlandia froze offensively in the first half of play, going into halftime with a deficit of 37-8. Making a stride forward in the third quarter, the Lions brought their score to 30 with Northwestern at 59. Unable to recover from the home team's lead, Finlanda fell 79-51 as the Eagles kept their momentum rolling all 40 minutes of play.

Jessica Cole (Altoona, Iowa/Southeast Polk) (18), Tiffany Stubbs (Ames, Iowa/Des Moines Christian) (11), Taryn Tumbleson (Sherburn, Minn./Martin County West) (17), and Amy Berglund (Springfield, Va./West Springfield) (10) led the charge, all with double digits. Cole shot perfect from downtown, finishing 4 for 4 for the evening. Aaron Kahl was able to play all 17 players, spreading points across the board. Emily Van Lith (Minot, N.D./Our Redeemers) led with nine rebounds for the Eagles, with Rachel Hart (Elgin, Minn./Home School) also putting up eight for the night. UNW shot 42 percent from the field and 37 percent from the arc.

UMAC play will resume for the Eagles as they face Northland College tomorrow evening for Hoops Hysteria at the Ericksen Center. Tip off is scheduled for 5 p.m., after the men's contest at 3 p.m.