UNIVERSITY CENTER -- Despite a solid first half and eight point halftime lead, the Cardinal Men's Basketball team couldn't overcome a second half push from Northwood University and ended up falling short in an 80-77 contest at SVSU's O'Neill Arena.
After Northwood rolled out to a 9-0 lead, Saginaw Valley worked out a lead as much as 11 points after Fred John Jr. hit a triple to put the score at 35-24 with just over a minute left in the first half. The Timberwolves hit a three-pointer after that, putting the score at 35-27 heading into the halftime break with the Cardinals in front.
James Toohey led the way with 13 points in the first half while Avery Lewis grabbed six rebounds.
The Cardinals worked their way to a lead as much as 15 points, as the home squad scored the first seven points of the second half with a couple buckets from John and one from Myles Belyeu.
Northwood worked its way back and claimed a 60-59 lead at the 5:36 point. The visitors continued to lead and held a 70-68 lead with 17 seconds showing on the clock.
That set up the Cardinals with a chance to tie or win the game. Darnell Hoskins Jr. had the ball in his hands, drove and dished to John. He connected on a game-tying layup to send the game into overtime knotted at 70-70.
SVSU held a couple of leads, with the second coming as John made another layup to give the Cards a 76-75 edge.
The T-Wolves responded and reclaimed the lead, holding on and eventually taking the 80-77 victory.
Inside the Boxscore
- Belyeu posted a game-high 25 points, adding six rebounds.
- John added 17 points with six boards and two assists. He was named the Meijer "Player of the Game."
- Toohey netted 15 points with six boards, two assists and a pair of steals.
- Hoskins added 12 points with seven assists.
- Lewis grabbed a team-best 10 rebounds in the contest.
- SVSU held the 43-37 edge on the glass and 40-34 lead in the paint.
- The Cardinals had 14 offensive boards in the game.
Up Next...
Saginaw Valley has a pair of home league matchups this upcoming weekend, beginning Thursday (Jan. 31) versus Ferris State University. Tip-off will be at 8:00 p.m. at SVSU's O'Neill Arena.
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