Yellowjackets 83, Finlandia 76
The Yellowjacket men's basketball team was at home Friday to take on Finlandia University. The Yellowjackets were looking to build off of their victory over Martin Luther College last Saturday. This game was all Yellowjackets, as they never trailed en route to their third victory of the season.
This game was the Brian Lindblom show, as he scored 11 of the Yellowjackets first 15 points, as they held a 15-8 lead with 13:11 remaining. The Yellowjackets saw that lead grow to 27-14 thanks to an Andreas Preisler jumper and a Vid Milenkovic layup. Despite holding the early lead, Finlandia refused to go away, and the Yellowjackets went into the break with a 40-31 lead.
Lindblom played out of his mind in the first half, with 23 points on 11-16 shooting. He also had nine rebounds at the half, which established a new career high.
The Yellowjackets and the Lions played a back and forth affair in the second half. The first run of the half saw Finlandia cut the Yellowjacket lead to 50-44 with 14:57 remaining. Then the Yellowjackets responded with a run of their own to push the lead to 61-44 on a Montroy Scott layup. The Yellowjacket lead grew to 67-49 with 9:13 remaining after a Zach Schradle breakaway dunk.
Finlandia kept hanging around in this one, as they Yellowjackets were not able to put the game away early. With 0:12 left, and the game no longer in doubt, the Yellowjackets emptied their benches to a round of applause from the crowd.
Lindblom was the player of the game in this one, as he established new career highs in scoring and rebounding, finishing with 32 points and 11 rebounds for his first career double-double. Lindblom also had two assists and two steals.
Schradle had a good night for himself, finishing just shy of his eight career double-double with 24 points and nine rebound. Schradle led the team is assists with four. Milenkovic had a very productive 11 points, six rebound, three assist game in 28 minutes off the bench.
Finlandia was led by Marcus Geralds, who finished with 22 points. Jordan LaPlant added 14 points, while Brandon Robinette and Schwartzen Jarmond each had 10.
The Yellowjackets shot 54.2% from the field, going 2-9 from beyond the 3-point arc, while hitting 17-23 from the free throw line.
Finlandia shot 50.8% from the field, going 11-24 from beyond the 3-point arc, while hitting 3-7 from the free throw line.
The Yellowjackets committed seven turnovers. Finlandia committed 11.
The Yellowjackets (3-4, 1-1 UMAC) wrap up the first part of their season Saturday, December 12 when they host Northland College. Game time from Mertz Mortorelli Gymansium is set for 3:00 p.m.