HANCOCK — Superior Central graduate Joe Heinonen played a key role in Finlandia’s 91-77 men’s basketball victory over Gogebic Community College on Wednesday that snapped the Lions’ 47-game losing streak.

Heinonen, a Finlandia sophomore, scored 15 points, making two 3-pointers, while pulling down five rebounds and making two steals in 34 minutes playing time as a starter at FU’s Paavo Nurmi Center.

Sophomore teammate and Republic-Michigamme product River Shumate didn’t score but had a rebound in seven minutes.

The Lions set several records in the game in addition to improving to 1-20 this season. Finlandia had 29 assists as a team, breaking the old mark of 25 set in a game in 2007 and matched in 2019.

And sophomore Tristan Johnson broke his own school record by making 10 3-pointers as he finished with 30 points.

FU trailed most of the first half but led 40-39 at halftime and never trailed in the second half, which was when Heinonen scored 13 of his points.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee. His email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.