Northland Women's Basketball outlasted a strong final push from Finlandia University to claim their first win of the season 78-74. 

Box Score

The Northland College Women's Basketball team played in the Kendrigan Center for the first time this season on Tuesday evening. The LumberJills hosted Finlandia University for the second contest between the two squads in the season's opening month. After dropping the first match in Michigan a few weeks ago, the LumberJills used a barrage of three-pointers to down the Lions 78-74. The victory marks the first of the season for the team and the first win for head coach Lisa Phillips at Northland as she begins her LumberJill tenure.

"Tonight was a team effort and the players fought hard together to earn the win," said Coach Phillips. "I'm extremely proud of them and believe they have the ability to do great things this year."

Northland allowed Finlandia to jump in front in the early part of the first quarter with a six point run before Rhonda Cole got the Jills on the board. Following a Lion turnover Kodie Remp hit her first three-pointer of the night to get the Jills back within one. Another turnover for Finlandia allowed Miranda Wagner to hit a jumper and give Northland their first lead. The quarter was back and forth, but Finlandia took a one point lead into the first intermission.

Finlandia started the second with a layup to extend the lead to three. Alex Espinoza was fouled on the ensuing possession while draining her jump shot. The senior guard hit her free throw to complete the three-point play and even the score. Following another three from Remp, the Lions would go on an 8-0 run before Jasmine Bombardelli knocked down a jumper to halt the Finlandia pressure. After a little run from the Jills the quarter remained back and forth with each team exchanging points until Bailey Wynn's three-pointer with :27 seconds left sent Northland to the break with a three point lead.

Wagner's three to start the third extended the Jill's lead to six to open up the second half. Ashley Lopez hit threes on back-to-back possessions in the middle of the quarter to give the Jills their largest lead of the night at 10. Finlandia would score on the next possession to begin another 8-0 run to get back in the game. Wynn halted the run with a pair of free throws and her offensive board on the next possession allowed Wagner to hit an open jumper to grow the lead back to six, where it remained through the end of the quarter. 

Bombardelli knocked down another LumberJill three to kickstart the fourth. Following a missed jumper by the Lions Espinoza sent a fast-break lob to Wagner for the alley-oop layup and the largest lead of the night for Northland. The Lions came roaring back with a 12-2 run to cut the lead to one. Over the final four minutes the lead teetered between one and four as Finlandia fought to get back in front, but free throws from Wynn and Wagner kept the Jills in front and sealed the win.

Wagner finished the night with a game-high 31 points and 16 boards. Espinoza recorded 9 points, 7 rebounds and a stellar 11 assists in the contest. Wynn tallied 9 points off the bench. 

Northland (1-4, 0-0 UMAC) will be home again on Saturday as they take on Oak Hills Christian College. Tip-off is slated for 2:00 PM at the Kendrigan Center.

Northland College is an NCAA Division III institution located in Ashland, WI. The LumberJacks and LumberJills sponsor 14 varsity sports and compete in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference, Midwest Lacrosse Conference and the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.