The University of Wisconsin Superior fell victim to a second-half surge by Finlandia University as the Lions came from behind to knock off the Yellowjackets 87-80 on Saturday afternoon at Mortorelli Gym.

UW-Superior (1-9) opened up to a nine-point lead with 13:11 remaining in the first half, topping Finlandia 16-7 in the opening minutes. The Lions scratched back to cut the lead to two at 23-21, but the Yellowjackets once again streaked ahead, taking a game-high 12-point lead at 37-25. Finlandia trimmed the lead down to nine at 42-33 at the break. UWS shot 51.5 percent in the opening half, but just 40.5 percent in the second half, including 1-for-10 from beyond the arc as the Lions began their comeback.

Finlandia would trail by as much as 12 once again in the second half, but an eight-point run in the favor of the Lions cut the lead to 63-59 with 10:20 remaining. They followed that up with a ten-point run to take a three-point lead. Finlandia held UW-Superior at bay the rest of the way, despite a late steal by sophomore Montroy Scott (Fridley, Minn./Columbia Heights H.S.) that helped cut the lead down to five. The Lions hit 15-of-23 from the free throw line in the second half while the Yellowjackets had just eight opportunies at the line after the break.

Finlandia got 23 points from Terrance Fuller while Marcus Geralds scored 22 points and 11 rebounds. The Lions shot 50.0 percent for the game including  57.58 percent in the second half. UW-Superior got a game-high 31 points from junior Shaq Coleman (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East H.S.). Freshman forward Rafael Monteiro (São Paulo, Brazil/Santa Marcelina College) added a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Scott also had 14 points for the Yellowjackets.

UP NEXT
UW-Superior will close out the season's first half next weekend on the road. The Yellowjackets will take on Bethany Lutheran College in Upper Midwest Athletic Conference action on Friday night. Opening tip is set for 7:30 p.m. in Mankato, Minnesota.