MARQUETTE, Mich. - The Saginaw Valley State University men's basketball team recorded their first Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletics Conference (GLIAC) victory tonight, defeating the Northern Michigan University Wildcats, 97-68.

The Cardinals held a 50-34 lead at halftime after carrying a nine-point lead at the 15:07 mark on a Dan Genther (Laingsburg, Mich./Laingsburg HS) three-point shot in the opening frame.  Saginaw Valley would increase their lead to 17 points as junior Keithan Jackson (Grand Rapids, Mich./Godwin Heights HS) found an open jump shot and would continue their offensive dominance throughout the first half as junior guard Greg Foster (Indianapolis, Ind./T.C. Howe HS) connected on a lay-up to give the Cardinals a 19-point advantage with 6:45 remaining in the first half.  SVSU would hold a 16-point lead over the Wildcats at halftime.

Saginaw Valley would continue to take control of the game, scoring the first eight points within two minutes of the second half as junior guard Sean Romsek (Fowlerville, Mich./Fowlerville HS) connected on an open three-pointer and jump shot followed by a successful Genther three-point shot to give the Cardinals a 58-35 lead.  Saginaw Valley would hold a 32-point lead over the Wildcats as Jackson would find an open three-point shot to make the score 81-49.  The Cardinal offense would not let up as they went onto victory, 97-68.

Leading the way for the Cardinals was Jackson who earned Meijer "Player of the Game" recognition with a game-high 30 points and pulled down five rebounds while Foster finished the night with 21 points, four assists and three rebounds.  Romsek would ended the night with 17 points and posted seven rebounds. 

The Cardinals set a school record with 18 three-point baskets, besting the previous record of 15, which had been reached three times since 2000.  SVSU would finish the night 18-of-32 from behind the arc.  

With the win, the Cardinals move to 5-8 overall on the season and move to 1-6 in the GLIAC while Northern Michigan falls to 6-8 overall on the season and 1-6 in conference action.  Saginaw Valley will return to action this Saturday (Jan. 15) as they travel to take on Michigan Tech University in a GLIAC match-up.  Tip-off is scheduled for 12:00 pm.