HANCOCK, Mich. — The Lawrence University women’s basketball team’s late rally fell short, and the Vikings dropped a 69-63 nonconference decision at Finlandia University on Tuesday.
Hailey Gervais scored 17 points and Marissa Burke added 15 to lead four Finlandia players in double figures.
Alex Deshler poured in 21 points and grabbed eight rebounds to pace Lawrence (1-7). Freshman forward Katie Schumacher posted a double-double with 10 points and a game-high 15 rebounds. Amber Lisowe added 16 points for the Vikings.
Finlandia (3-5) led by as many as 15 points in the first half, but the Vikings rallied to trim the margin to 37-27 as Deshler scored on back-to-back layups late in the half.
The Lions maintained a lead between six and 12 points throughout the second half, and Finlandia was up 66-56 when Schumacher scored on a putback with 2:37 left.
Finlandia missed a jumper and committed three turnovers in the next 2:09, but the Vikings couldn’t pull any closer until Lisowe hit a 3-pointer with 29 seconds left to cut the margin to 66-61.
The Vikings then fouled Paige Yoho, who hit one free throw with 21 seconds remaining to push the lead back to 67-61. The Vikings missed a jumper on their next possession, but Schumacher grabbed the rebound and was fouled. She hit both free throws with 13 seconds left to cut the led to 67-63.
The Vikings immediately fouled Yoho again, but she hit both free throws with 12 seconds remaining to seal the victory.
Lawrence returns to action on Saturday when it hosts St. Norbert College.