The Basics

Score: Saginaw Valley 74, Michigan Tech 73 - Overtime
Records: SVSU (17-7, 14-5 GLIAC) | MTU (16-7, 14-5 GLIAC)
Location: James E. O'Neill Jr. Arena - University Center, Mich.

UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. - The SVSU women's basketball team hosted Michigan Tech University on Saturday (Feb. 13) in a GLIAC matchup between the top two teams in the North Division. After leading by 17 points at halftime, the Lady Cardinals overcame a big fourth quarter from the Huskies and would win in the final seconds of overtime, 74-73.

Saginaw Valley got a layup from Katelyn Carriere to give the Cards a late lead in regulation but that was answered by a jumper from Tech's Danielle Blake to send the game to overtime tied, 66-66. Danielle Carriere then worked a lead for SVSU with just over two seconds left in the ovetrime session with a jumper to put the home team up 74-73. Blake had another attempt for Michigan Tech, but her shot fell no good and SV sealed the one-point victory and moved back into a tie for first place with the Huskies. 

Emily Wendling got things going for SVSU with a three-point play and Alex Green followed with a jumper to make the score 5-0. The Cards led by as many as seven points in the quarter when Danielle Carriere made a layup at the 1:14 mark to make the score 17-70. The score would be 17-13 at the end of the first after a Tech triple.

The Huskies took the lead down to two points twice in the first minutes of the second quarter at the 8:32 (19-17) and 7:42 (21-19) minute marks.

SV came back to run its lead to  double-digits with 4:29 to play (31-21) and pushed it to 17 (38-21) heading into halftime after a pair of Wendling free throws. Saginaw Valley posted a 21-8 advantage in the second 10 minutes of action.

Nieman kicked-off the second half with a layup at the 9:41 mark, increasing the Cardinal lead to a game-high 19 points, 40-21.

Tech came back to cut the lead to nine, 42-33, with 6:40 left in the period.

Shots from Grace Whelan, Anna Hall and Halee Nieman drove the SVSU lead up to 13 at the 5:47 (46-33) and 5:11 (48-35) minute marks, respectively. Saginaw Valley got the lead out to 16 before the third quarter ended after six points from Katelyn Carriere and four by Danielle Carriere in the final five minutes of the frame.

In the final quarter, Tech was able to take the lead down to one (62-61) with 2:51 left in the game following four layups and five free throws from Danielle Blake. The Huskies took their first lead of the game with a layup from Mackenzie Perttu at the 2:08 minute mark, 63-62.

The Cards took the advantage back 64-43 after Danielle Carriere nailed two free throws with 1:19 on the clock. 

 Blake tied it up at 64-64l with another free throw at the 1:04 marker.

Katelyn Carriere drove it in for a layup with seven seconds left in the game, putting SV ahead 66-64.

Blake responded once again for the visitors, however, and hit a buzzer-beating jumper to tie the game at 66-66 and force an overtime session.

The overtime period didn't disappoint either, featuring four lead changes and a tie.

Nieman hit a free throw to give the Cardinals their first lead of overtime, 67-66 at the 4:42 minute mark. She added another freebie to tie it back up at 68-68 with 3:16 left in extra time. Wendling made back-to-back layups, putting SV ahead by four at 72-68 with 1:53 left. 

 After free throws from Blake and a three-pointer from Lindsay Winter, Tech re-gained the lead at 73-72 with 11 seconds left.

The Lady Cardinals charged back down the court and their possession ended with Danielle Carriere hitting a short jumper to give the home squad a 74-73 edge with just over two seconds left.

Blake got another good look for the visitors after they called a timeout and advanced the ball, but her game-winning attempt fell short and Saginaw Valley claimed the one-point overtime victory, 74-73.

Inside the Boxscore

• Wendling led SV with a team-high 21 points, including a perfect 7-of-7 from the foul line. She added a game-high 15 rebounds, one steal and a block. The double-double is Emily's 13th of the 2015-16 season.
• Danielle Carriere recorded a season-high 17 points with five rebounds and a pair of steals.
• Nieman netted 14 points and a career-best 11 boards, marking her first-ever double-double as well.
• Katelyn Carriere contributed nine points, four assists and three steals. 
• Hall added seven points, four assists, three rebounds and two steals.
• Saginaw Valley shot 27-of-60 (45.0%) from the floor while Tech went for 43.1% (28-of-65).
• The Cardinal bench outscored the Huskies, 21-10.
• SVSU posted a 46-40 edge in points in the paint as well and a slight 38-36 rebounding advantage.
• Blake led Michigan Tech in both points (30) and rebounds (9). 

Meijer "Player of the Game"

Danielle Carriere was named the Meijer "Player of the Game" after her season-high 17 points, five rebounds, two steals and assist. 

From Senior Guard Danielle Carriere...

Carriere's game-winning shot...

Up Next for Saginaw Valley

Saginaw Valley travels to GLIAC rival Grand Valley State on Thursday (Feb. 18) for a 6:00 p.m. matchup. The Lakers are 18-7 overall and 13-6 in the conference and are coming of an 84-74 loss at Northwood Saturday evening. SVSU has now secured a spot in the 2016 GLIAC Tournament.

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