MIDLAND, Mich. - The Saginaw Valley State University women's basketball fell at Northwood University today (March 2) by a 76-54 margin in their final regular season contest.
Fortunately, the Lady Cardinals (13-13, 11-11 GLIAC) clinched a GLIAC Tournament bid earlier today for the first time since the 2006-2007 season by virtue of losses from Northern Michigan and Hillsdale.
A three-pointer from junior Kayla Womack (Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich. / North HS) pulled SVSU within five (15-10) after the Timberwolves (12-16, 10-12 GLIAC) controlled play over the first ten minutes.
Saginaw Valley drew even closer after freshman Emily Wendling (Flushing, Mich.) converted a bucket in the paint to bring SVSU with three (17-14) at the 7:04 mark.
However, NU took a 37-23 advantage heading into the locker room as 14 turnovers plagued the Cardinals in the first half of play compared to just three for the Timberwolves.
Saginaw Valley came out of the break and scored the first five points of the half slashing the deficit to nine after one minute of action.
Northwood answered the surge with a 10-0 run to lead by 19 with 15 minutes to go.
The Lady Cardinals remained poised and proceeded to go on a 13-5 run that was capped off by an Aysha Boston (Detroit, Mich. / Renaissance) three-point bucket to bring SVSU within 11 points with 10 minutes on the game clock.
The Timberwolves were too much for Saginaw Valley on this day as they went on to the 76-54 victory.
Meijer 'Player of the Game' Emily Wendling posted a team-high 15 points, while Samantha Zirzow (Goodrich, Mich.) pulled down a game-high nine rebounds. Kayla Womack added 11 points.
The Lady Cardinals finish the regular season at the .500 mark or better overall for the first time since 2003-04 season and the first time in the conference since 1998-99.
Saginaw Valley will now prepare for the 2013 GLIAC Tournament as the No. 7 seed and will travel to the No. 2 seeded University of Findlay this Wednesday (March 6). The quarterfinal matchup is scheduled to start at 8 p.m..