The Basics
Score: Saginaw Valley 76, Tiffin 66
Records: SVSU (8-2, 4-1 GLIAC) | ODU (7-5, 3-3 GLIAC)
Location: James E. O'Neill Jr. Arena - University Center, Mich.
UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. - Hosting Ohio Dominican University on Sunday (Dec. 18) night, the SVSU women's basketball team came out victorious for the second consecutive game, coming back from a 35-31 halftime deficit with a strong second half to claim a 76-66 win over the Panthers.
The home squad jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the contest, using a three-point play from Emily Wendling and a layup from Abby Duffy. The team's lead would grow to as much as eight points at the 4:18 with the scoreboard showing 10-2 after Mariah Cook hit a three-pointer. After Tiffin worked its way back to tie the score at 12-12 and take a 13-12 lead, a triple from Katelyn Carriere gave the Cards a 15-13 edge at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter featured five lead changes and a pair of ties, with neither team gaining more than a four point lead in the frame. The Cardinals led by as many as four points twice and used buckets from Carriere on two different occasions, as she helped the team re-gain the lead with the score 21-10 and 31-30. The 31-30 count came with 1:21 to go in the first half, which was met with a triple and layup to close-out the half from the Panthers, who carried a 35-31 edge into the locker room.
Ohio Dominican held its largest lead of the afternoon at six points with the score 39-33 early in the third quarter. The Cardinals would then work their way back and get the lead back, using a layup and three-point play from Wendling to take the leads at 42-41 and 45-43, respectively. The Panthers drew to within a single point three times from there in the quarter, but a Wendling jumper and good free throw from Francesca Coury gave the home team a four point lead with the score 52-48 after the quarter expired.
The first double-digit lead of the game came with the score 70-60 after Carriere drilled eight consecutive free throws, the last pair coming with just 1:05 to play in the game. SVSU's largest lead of 14 points came after two Wendling freebies to make the score 76-62 with 35 seconds to play. The Panthers got two baskets the remainder of the way, sending the game score to a final with a 10-point advantage for the Cards, 76-66.
Inside the Boxscore
- Carriere was named the Meijer "Player of the Game" for her efforts. She notched a game and season-high of 25 points, adding a season-best seven assists, six boards, five steals and two blocks. The steals and blocks matched career-highs for Carriere. She was a perfect 14-of-14 from the charity stripe in the contest, setting new career-highs in those categories as well.
- Wendling added 23 points with a game-high nine rebounds. She added a pair of steals and a blocked shot.
- Halee Nieman chipped-in with seven points and six boards.
- Abby Duffy netted eight points, eight boards, two steals and a block.
- SVSU edged ODU 44-38 on the glass and posted a 34-28 advantage in the paint.
From Head Coach Jamie Pewinski
"This was a big win and a great way to go into break! The team responded to some adversity and everyone that got into the game made a play for us. It was big to have our bench get some solid minutes and to keep battling no matter what the situation was. Overall, I loved the leadership and togetherness we showed throughout the game and the refuse to lose attitude in the second half."
Up Next...
Saginaw Valley will have 11 days off until it plays on the road at regional opponent and GLVC foe Lewis University. They will square-off against the Flyers on Friday, December 30 at 6:50 p.m. eastern time. You can follow the game live via the SVSU women's basketball schedule.
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