HANCOCK, Mich. – Finlandia (Mich.) University used a 16-2 run in the fourth quarter to take control and a competitive game got away from the Lakeland University women's basketball team late in a 72-48 loss on the road in Michigan's Upper Peninsula Tuesday night.

The Muskies struggled to score for the second time in three games and were unable to match a physical Finlandia team on the glass. Lakeland dropped its third straight game against a challenging early season schedule, while the Lions improved to 2-1 overall.

Lakeland made just 15 of 56 field goals (26.8%), and outside of freshman Mackenzie Miller (Schoolcraft, Mich.) just about every Muskie struggled from the floor. Miller posted season highs of 14 points and eight rebounds and made 6 of 9 shots from the field, but no other player scored in double figures and only two more scored more than five points.

Lakeland received a three-point play from Brianna Jones (Sr.-Indianapolis, Ind.) to start the game, but Finlandia would build a 19-11 lead by the end of the first quarter. The Lions would push the lead to double figures in the second quarter and it was an uphill climb the rest of the way for the Muskies.

Lakeland trailed 33-22 at halftime after making 7 of 30 shots (23.3%), and the Lions scored nine of the first 12 points after the break to go ahead 42-25. The Muskies would chip away to within 46-35 by the end of the third period, and trailed by just eight when Kerstin Sauerbrei (Jr.-Ripon, Wis.) made a three-pointer to open the fourth quarter.

Finlandia would step on the gas, though, and pulled away over the next five minutes. The Lions scored on four of their next five possessions, and later scored on three straight fast break layups, the last when Kalli Chynoweth drove through the defense and scored to make it 66-42 with 4:24 left.

Natalie Bartle scored 26 points and added eight rebounds and four steals for Finlandia, which shot 38.5% (30 of 78). The Lions owned big advantages rebounding (57-34, including 21 offensive rebounds) and in the paint, outscoring Lakeland 38-14.

Sauerbrei added nine points for Lakeland, making three three-pointers. Kacey Gardner (Sr.-Evergreen Park, Ill.) added seven points and five rebounds off the bench.

The Muskies play the second of four consecutive road games when they take another lengthy road trip Saturday, traveling to face the University of Northwestern (Minn.) on Saturday at 2 p.m. in St. Paul, Minn.