BIG RAPIDS, Mich. - The Saginaw Valley State University men's basketball team took a heartbreaking loss to the Bulldogs of Ferris State University today (2/5), 70-68 in a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletics Conference (GLIAC) match-up.

The Cardinals and Bulldogs battled back-and-forth for the lead throughout the first 10 minutes of the game.  Saginaw Valley's largest advantage came at 16:56 as senior forward Keithan Jackson (Grand Rapids, Mich./Godwin Heights HS) connected on a three-pointer to give the Cardinals a 10-4 lead.  Ferris State would take the lead with 8:15 remaining in the first frame and would hold it throughout the half, entering the locker room with a 38-30 advantage.

Saginaw Valley fought back in the second half and would take the lead with 12:14 left in the contest as sophomore forward Jay Thames (Port Huron, Mich./Port Huron Northern HS) hit a three-point shot to give the Cardinals a one-point advantage. Ferris State would re-gain the lead, however SVSU would keep the Bulldog lead close but could not take over the lead as FSU would go onto victory, 70-68.

The Cardinals had three players who ended the the afternoon with double-digit scoring.  Leading the way was Jackson who earned Meijer "Player of the Game" recognition, posting a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds.   Junior guard Greg Foster (Indianapolis, Ind./T.C. Howe HS) finished with 21 points and had seven rebounds while sophomore guard Michael Fugate (White Lake, Mich./Lakeland HS) posted 20 points and pulled down seven rebounds. 

With the loss, Saginaw Valley falls to 10-10 overall on the season and 6-8 in the GLIAC while Ferris State moves to 16-5 overall on the season and 12-2 in conference play.  The Cardinals will return to action this Wednesday (2/9) when they host Northwood University in a GLIAC match-up.  Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 PM.