HANCOCK, Mich. - The Carroll University women's basketball team continued to battle through the early-season adversity as it lost to Finlandia University 77-68 in the final round of the Finlandia Classic at the Paavo Nurmi Center on Sunday afternoon.
It was the fifth consecutive nonconference road loss of the season for Carroll, which dropped to 0-6 overall.
The Pioneers, who outscored Finlandia 23-21 in the fourth quarter, trimmed the deficit to 70-68 on a layup by junior guard Brittney Wald (Antigo, Wis.) with 2:16 remaining but couldn't get any closer.
Despite the final outcome, the young Carroll squad continued to showcase its growth and balance with seven players reaching the scoring column - including four in double digits.
Wald contributed a season-high 24 points, eight rebounds and four steals to lead Carroll, which converted 15 of 25 free throws but made only one basket from 3-point range. 
Junior forward Morgan Lund (Mondovi, Wis.) contributed her second double-double of the year, scoring 13 points and grabbing 11 rebounds for the Pioneers - who committed 22 turnovers. Freshman guard/forward Hannah Kloehn (Marshfield, Wis.) followed with 13 points and eight rebounds.
Freshman guard Caylee Koker (Kenosha, Wis.) added 11 points, six rebounds, two blocks, two assists and a steal for Carroll, which shot 43 percent from field-goal range.
Senior guard Mikayla Hakala scored a team-high 17 points for Finlandia, which improved to 2-2 overall. Junior guard/forward Kelsie Richards had a double-double, finishing with 14 points and 13 rebounds for the Lions - who made 16 3-pointers and 7 of 10 free throws.
Richards scored five points within the final two minutes for the Lions, who shot 41 percent from the field and scored 20 points off of turnovers.
Junior guard/forward Julia Daavettila added 12 points for Finlandia, which earned its second hard-fought victory over the Pioneers.