UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. -- The Saginaw Valley State University men's basketball team snapped a three-game losing streak with a 66-64 victory over Grand Valley State University on Saturday in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference regular-season finale. The Cardinals honored their senior class prior to the game.
SVSU moves to 18-10 overall and 12-8 in GLIAC play. With the win, the Cardinals claimed the South Division Championship.
NOTE: The Cardinals honored the 2022 senior class with a ceremony prior to the game, including Darnell Hoskins Jr., Delano Smith, James Toohey, and Tyler Witz.
How it happened:
- The Lakers began the game on an 8-2 run before the first media timeout.
- A 3-pointer by Darnell Hoskins Jr. brought the Cardinals to within two.
- GVSU went on a 9-2 run before a layup by James Toohey with 10 minutes remaining in the half slowed it down.
- With 7:11 left, the Lakers opened up a 10-point lead, before Delano Smith answered with a 3-point bucket.
- The Cardinals continued to fight and cut the lead to just three points with a layup by Smith at the halftime buzzer. The Lakers went into the locker room with a 37-34 advantage.
- Freddie McIntosh shrunk the GVSU lead to two points with 16:17 left in the game.
- SVSU continued to stay in the game, never allowing the Lakers to lead by more than eight points.
- Delano Smith drew contact on an and-one basket and tied the game at 56-56 with 7:22 to go in the game.
- The Cardinals took their first lead of the game with 3:52 remaining when a tip-in layup by Tyler Witz put SVSU up 62-61.
- SVSU never relinquished the lead, holding off GVSU in the final minute to earn the victory.
Inside the Box Score:
- Delano Smith posted 22 points on 8-of-17 shooting. He also pulled down eight rebounds.
- Freddie McIntosh added 11 points, including going 3-of-5 from 3-point land.
- Tyler Witz scored 10 points and grabbed nine rebounds.
- SVSU was 26-of-54 from the field, 3-of-10 from deep, and 9-of-16 from the free-throw line.
- Jake Van Tubbergen led the Lakers with 16 points and 12 rebounds for a double-double.
Up next:
The Cardinals will play next in the GLIAC Postseason Tournament starting Wednesday. SVSU will be the No. 4 seed in the tournament and host a rematch with No. 5 seed Grand Valley State. Time will be announced when available.
Postgame interview with Head Coach Randy Baruth below:
