The Basics
Score: Saginaw Valley 68, Grand Valley 65
Records: SVSU (13-5, 10-3 GLIAC) | GVSU (14-5, 9-4 GLIAC)
Location: James E. O'Neill Jr. Arena - University Center, Mich.
UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. - The SVSU women's basketball team hosted Grand Valley Thursday evening in the James E. O'Neill Jr. Arena in a battle of teams tied for first place in the GLIAC North Division. After trailing at the half 28-25, the Lady Cardinals posted a strong second half, outscoring the Lakers 43-38 in pulling out a three-point victory, 68-65.
Saginaw Valley overcame an early GVSU three-pointer and scored seven straight points to take a 7-3 advantage after buckets from Anna Hall, Katelyn Carriere and Emily Wendling, the last coming at the 8:03 mark. After leading 7-5, SV went on another 7-0 run run to take its largest lead of the game of nine points (14-5) at the 4:23 marker of the opening quarter after another Wendling bucket, a triple from halee Nieman and a layup from Katelyn Carriere. The Cards would carry a 14-11 lead into the first quarter break.
Saginaw Valley held on to its lead until the 3:11 minute mark when GV's Kayla Dawson made a three pointer to tie it up 20-20. The Lakers and the Cardinals traded the lead three times before Brionna Barnett made two consecutive three-pointers to end the first half with Grand Valley ahead, 28-25.
The Lakers pushed the lead to as many as 12 points at the 4:16 minute mark of the third quarter, leading 45-33.
The Lady Cardinals, however, turned that around with an impressive 14-2 run to knot the score at 47-47 with just 36 seconds left in the third quarter. Katelyn Carriere accounted for seven of those points, with Hall adding four and Nieman and Danielle Carriere two-apiece.
Grand Valley was able to get back in front barely after a pair of Taylor Lutz free throws to make the score 49-47 in the visitors' favor and that's what the scoreboard would show as the teams entered the final quarter of play.
SVSU worked its way back and, trailing 55-52 with 6:35 to play, Nieman scored five straight for the home squad and another Wendling bucket on top of that made the score 58-55 in the home team's favor.
Another Nieman jumper with 2:58 showing on the clock extended the lead to five points at 62-57 but the Lakers worked their way back to within just two points (64-62) at the 2:02 marker.
Two free throws from both Nieman and Wendling pushed the lead back out to six points at 68-62 and a triple at the buzzer from the Lakers was all that pulled them to within three points, 68-65, which would prove to be the final count.
Inside the Boxscore
- Nieman posted a game-high 18 points, going 6-of-9 shooting while adding three steals, three rebounds and an assist.
- Anna Hall posted 15 points, going 6-of-10 from the flloor in her 32 minutes of action. She chipped-in with four rebounds and three assists as well.
- Wendling netted 13 points and eight rebounds for the Cardinals.
- Katelyn Carriere added 12 points and eight rebounds for Saginaw Valley and tied a career-high with five steals.
- Saginaw Valley was 41.4% shooting (24-of-58) while Grand Valley was 40.7% (24-of-59).
- SVSU held a 30-20 edge in points in the paint and 17-10 advantage in points off turnovers. The Lady Cards had 12 turnovers while forcing 19 Laker mishaps
- With the victory, SVSU remains in a tie atop the GLIAC North Division with Michigan Tech with its 10-3 league record.
Meijer "Player of the Game"
Katelyn Carriere was named the Meijer "Player of the Game" after her 12 points, team-high eight rebounds and career-best five steals.
From Head Coach Jamie Pewinski...
"Great team effort tonight in all areas of the game! There was a lot of energy in the arena and an awesome crowd, which helped us overcome that deficit in the third quarter. It's just great to get the win in front of the home fans. We'll enjoy it tonight and get ready for Ferris tomorrow!"
Up Next for Saginaw Valley
Saginaw Valley travels to Ferris State University on Saturday (Jan. 30) for a 1:00 p.m. GLIAC North Division matchup. The Bulldogs (3-16, 3-10 GLIAC) are coming off an 88-75 loss at Hillsdale on Thursday evening.
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