The Basics
Score: Wayne State 57, Saginaw Valley 53
Records: WSU (16-9, 13-8 GLIAC) | SVSU (17-11, 10-11 GLIAC)
Matthaei Center - Detroit, Mich.
DETROIT, Mich.- The Saginaw Valley State men's basketball team completed its 2016-17 regular season with a final road matchup against the Wayne State Warriors in Detroit on Thursday. The Cardinals squandered an eight-point lead with 4:46 remaining in the contest as SVSU lost 57-53 to the Warriors to finish with a 17-11 overall record.
Wayne State starting the scoring in the first half and built up a 6-0 lead at the 17:04 mark. SVSU cut the deficit to three after getting Mike Wells to connect on a three from 21 feet out. The Warriors would score two more times on the Cardinals and hold down a 10-3 lead heading into the first media stoppage. The Cardinals then took control of the game, going on an 11-2 scoring run and securing its first lead with a spin to the basket and score from C.J. Turnage. A long three point make from Garrett Hall helped SVSU regain the lead at 14-12 with 12:07 left to play.
Saginaw Valley forced a total of two lead changes and three ties over the next six minutes of play. Jake Daniels knocked down a three-pointer from the top of the arc to give the Cardinals the 24-21 lead with 5:57 to play in the half. The SVSU edge rose to four as Devin Dixon went up-and-under to draw the foul and score on the play.
Wayne State scored on its final two possessions of the half to tie the score at 29-29 heading into halftime.
The Cardinals entered the second half claiming the lead with a made layup from Wade Gelhaus. Saginaw Valley continued the timely shooting with a 15-foot jumper from Malik Garner, pushing the score to 38-32 with 16:44 left to play. Then, Hall gave SVSU a nine-point lead after knocking down a three-pointer from the right wing. SVSU's lead fell to as low as four points with 9:21 left to play. That briefly stood, as Devin Dixon made both shots at the free throw line to extend the edge to 47-41. C.J. Turnage then scored on a drive to the basket and drew the foul as well on the next possession to put the Cardinals ahead by eight.
SVSU carried that lead for much of the second half, pulling ahead 53-45 on the Warriors with 4:46 left to go in the game. After the made jumper from Garrett Hall that put SVSU up by eight, the Cardinals were unable to score a basket the remainder of the contest.
Wayne State responded to the untimely miscues of the Cardinals with a 10-0 scoring run in 2:20 of play that gave the Warriors its first lead of the second half. SVSU suddenly found itself trailing 53-52 with2:02 left in the game.
The Warriors then closed out the contest with two more baskets and defeated the Cardinals, 57-53, at the Matthaei Center in Detroit. SVSU finishes the season with a 17-11 overall record and did not qualify for the GLIAC Tournament.
Inside the Boxscore
- Garrett Hall scored 13 points, had four rebounds and one assist in the contest for the Cardinals. He was selected as the Meijer "Player of the Game".
- C.J. Turnage closed out his senior season with a 10-point, eight rebound performance and added two blocks to the stat line.
- Turnage finishes his career at SVSU with 1,777 career points scored and 712 career rebounds.
- Wade Gelhaus chipped in 11 points along with four rebounds.
- Devin Dixon added nine points off the bench for SVSU.
- SVSU outrebounded Wayne State, 33-31, and shot 44.4% from the field.
- SVSU was outscored 20-2 in points off turnovers and 12-1 in second chance points.
Up Next...
The Cardinals' 2016-17 campaign is complete, with the squad hitting the 17-win mark for the third straight season and third time in the past 21 years. The team graduates five seniors, in C.J. Turnage, Caleb Davis, Garrett Hall, Wade Gelhaus and Jon Marosi, all who have had a big hand in the turnaround of the program.
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