Men's Basketball News

Gordon is Independents Player of the Week for Second Time this Month - February 9, 2009

HANCOCK, MI – Finlandia University junior guard Tyler Gordon (Red Cliff, Wis.) is the Association of Division III Independents men’s basketball Player of the Week for the week of February 9, 2009. Gordon was also last week’s player of the week.

Gordon led the Lions to a victory in their only game of the week. He recorded 24 points, five rebounds, four steals and one assist. He shot 47.4% from the floor (9-of-19) and 44.4% from beyond the arc (4-of-9).

Tip-off Time Change for February 21 Men's and Women’s Basketball Games - February 9, 2009

HANCOCK, MI – The start time of the Saturday, February 21, Finlandia University men’s and women's basketball games vs. Northland Baptist Bible College has been changed.

The women's game will begin at 12:00 p.m. and the men's game will begin at 2:00 p.m. at Finlandia’s Paavo Nurmi Center gymnasium.

Finlandia’s Tyler Gordon is Independents Men’s Basketball Player of the Week - February 3, 2009

HANCOCK, MI – Finlandia University junior guard Tyler Gordon (Red Cliff, Wis.) is the Association of Division III Independents men’s basketball Player of the Week for the week of February 2, 2009.

Gordon led his team to a pair of wins last week with averages of 19.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 6.5 steals and 4.5 assists per game. He shot 83.3% from the charity stripe on the week (10-of-12), 8-of-10 of them coming in a 25-point, seven steal effort.

Lions Basketball on the Rockin' Eagle (98.5 FM) - December 29, 2008

HANCOCK - The Finlandia men's basketball game against Lakeland College on January 3, 2009 will be aired live on the Rockin' Eagle WGLI-FM (98.5).  You can also hear the game streaming live via the web at www.keepitintheup.com.

Lions Hoopster Tyler Gordon Earns National Record - July 29, 2008

HANCOCK – During the winter months when he was five or six years old, Tyler Gordon, Bayfield, Wisc., would sit on a snow bank and shoot baskets, said his uncle, Dean Gordon.

This early interest in basketball, combined with a natural ability and the dedication to complete hours of drills and practice, has earned Tyler Gordon, 21, a National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) statistical title and a place in the NCAA record books.

July 28, 2008, the Finlandia University Athletics Department presented Gordon with a NCAA plaque recognizing his achievement of 99 steals in 25 games, an average of 4.0 per game, during the 2008 basketball season, the highest average of steals in the 2008 season by any men’s basketball player in NCAA Divisions I, II, and III.

Gordon is heads above the NCAA players who follow him in the record book. NCAA Division III player Aswad Thomas of Elms College, Chicopee, Mass., averaged 3.6 steals last season, matching Garrett Lever of Division II University of Nebraska-Kearney. Division I player Devin Gibson, University of Texas at San Antonio, averaged 3.3 steals.

“Only a handful of students-athletes can say they were the best in their field and it is an honor for which you can be proud,” said Jim Wright, director of statistics for the NCAA, in a letter to Gordon announcing the award

“Two thumbs up!” gestured Dean Gordon when asked how he reacted when he heard the news. “He’s a great kid!”

At Bayfield High School, where he played four years of varsity basketball, Gordon broke the school record for most steals, most points, most assists, and most points in playoff contests.

Gordon has played two seasons of Lions basketball. He discovered Finlandia through his cousin, Chris Peterson, a supporter of Finlandia Athletics, and through participation in an independent basketball tournament at Finlandia in spring 2006.

Gordon didn’t expect to attain this level of success in steals. “I did a lot of drills to become quicker on my feet and worked on my hand-eye coordination. I knew I could score and my offense is strong, but I didn’t expect this level of success. It definitely exceeded my expectations.”

“When I started I just worked to become very competitive,” Gordon added. “Earning this record wasn’t really a goal. It just happened. I have been told I have fast hands, but I didn’t realize how fast!”

“Sometimes the importance of the role steals play in winning a basketball game is underappreciated,” noted Charlie Kemppainen, Finlandia’s head men’s basketball coach. “But every time the ball is stolen from the opposing team it robs them of opportunities for shots.”

Gordon shares his success with Lions student-athlete Ryan Artley and several other Finlandia men’s basketball starters in the 2007-08 season. “Overall we had a very good season,” he said. “I owe the attainment of this record to Coach Kemppainen and my fellow players.”

Kemppainen estimates that basketball players complete close to two steals per game. Gordon has more than doubled that with his of 4.0 steals per game average.

“Tyler has great anticipation and reads the offense very well. This, and his continuous practice and preparation have paid off for him,” said Kemppainen.


Finlandia Basketball Team Award Winners - April 25, 2008

          Most Valuable Player - Ryan Artley and Tyler Gordon

          Lion Award - Tucker Thoreson and Shawn Wickersheim

          Academic - Ryan Artley

FU Men Beat D-II Northern Michigan - December 5, 2007

MARQUETTE, Mich. – The Finlandia University men's basketball team won its second game in a row. Finlandia spoiled NMU's home opener on Wednesday night. The Lions defeated the ‘Cats by a score of 75-58. For Finlandia it was its third all-time victory over NMU. FU (then Suomi College) defeated NMU during the 1956-57 (73-65) and 2000-01 (67-62) seasons. FU improves to 2-4 on the season will the Wildcats are still looking for their first win are now 0-6.

The first six plus minutes of the game was close as neither team built a lead larger than three points. NMU had a 16-12 lead, then FU led the rest of the half except for two ties. Finlandia tied the score at 25-all with 4:42 remaining to half. Over the final four plus minutes of the half the Lions went on a 13-3 run. The score at half was 38-28. FU for the first 20 minutes of the game was 15-30 from the floor for 50 percent while the ‘Cats were struggling at 37.9 percent (11-29).

The second half belonged to the Lions. FU led the entire 20 minutes of play. Northern made a three-pointer at 12:33 as the ‘Cats were trailing (55-42). That was as close as NMU would get on the night.

FU ended the game by shooting 50 percent from the floor (29-58), while NMU shot 41 percent from the floor (21-51). FU had the edge off the glass at 36-28.

Finlandia's Erik Bresette led all scorers with 24 points and all rebounders with 11. Tyler Gorden also added 18 points and 8 rebounds for the Lions.

Finlandia will face the University of Wisconsin - Superior on Monday (Dec. 10) in Superior, Wisconsin at 8:00 p.m.

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