LAKELAND, Fla. - The Saginaw Valley State University men's basketball team fell in their first game of the Holiday Inn South-Ledger Classic to the University of Mary by a score of 51-36.

Saginaw Valley would struggle offensively in the first half, shooting just 24.1% from the floor, as they entered the locker room trailing 25-15 to the Mauraders.  Point Guard and Meijer Player of the Game Michael Fugate (White Lake, Mich./Lakeland HS) would lead the way in the half for the Cardinals with eight points.

The second half would not get much better for the Cardinals as their offensive struggles continued.  Fugate would finish the night with 14 points, the only Cardinal to score double figures.  SVSU's 36 points was its lowest point output since 1981 when they fell to Hillsdale College by a score of 16-5.  Though the offense struggled, the defense played well, limiting Mary to just 39% from the floor and forcing 14 turnovers.

With the loss, the Cardinals fall to 2-1 on the season while Mary improves to 3-0 overall.  SVSU will return to action tomorrow (Nov. 17) when they battle host Florida Southern at 7:30 PM.