SUPERIOR, Wis. – The UW-River Falls men's basketball team earned its first win of the 2021-22 season Saturday afternoon at the UW-Superior Merrill Thompson Classic, defeating Finlandia University 83-60.
The Falcons shot 36-of-74 from the field and 20 percent from beyond the arc, while limiting the Lions to 32.8 percent shooting.
In the first half, the Falcons shot over 50 percent from the field and claimed a 44-30 lead. Freshman center
Rodrick Payne led the team with 10 points, shooting 5-for-6 and helping guide UWRF to a total of 26 points in the paint.
UWRF shot 17-of-37 in the second half and continued to play strong defense, pacing the Falcons to the 23-point margin of victory.
Three Falcons scored in double figures, led by 16-point efforts by
Rodrick Payne and
Dylan Parker.
Gunner Reed followed with 14 points.
Noah Hanson recorded a game-high 10 rebounds and
Bryce Phillips led with six assists.
UW-River Falls heads back up north next Wednesday, Nov. 10 for a non-conference game at St. Scholastica.
