MIDLAND, Mich. — The Lady Cardinals fell on the road against Northwood University Saturday (Dec. 16) night in a GLIAC matchup. After leading 30-29 at the half, the Cardinals could not hang on to their lead in the final quarter, giving the Timberwolves the 69-63 victory in Riepma Arena. 

Laurel Jacqmain opened up the first quarter with a bucket at the 7:18 mark. The Timberwolves responded with a layup to tie up the game, 2-2. Northwood would keep the lead until Kierra Crockett's shot to put the Cardinals back in control (6-5) with 3:39 to go in the opening minutes of play. 

The last lead change of the first went in Northwood's favor as they led 16-10 over the Cardinals heading into the second quarter. 

Jacqmain started out the second with a layup to drop the deficit to four (16-12) with 9:47 remaining in the half. The Timberwolves were strong offensively, but the Cardinals would not go down without a fight. 

With 3:33 to go in the first half, Francesca Coury notched in a triple to tie the game up at 24-24. Katie Schultz followed behind her teammate for two to take the lead (26-24) for the first time in the second quarter. 

An NU triple came from the bench, pushing NU to regain the lead over SVSU with 1:05 remaining in the half.

A response layup from Abby Duffy assisted by Coury at the buzzer put the Cardinals ahead, 30-29, going into the half time break.

Hannah Settingsguaard's triple in the opening minute of the third quarter pushed Saginaw Valley ahead, 35-32. In the next three minutes of action, Northwood posted a 10-0 run on the Cardinals before SVSU responded with a 8-0 run to regain control (43-42) with 3:55 to go in the quarter. 

SVSU and NU posted 18 points in the third quarter, with Anna Hall leading the Cardinals in points (9) and boards (8), giving Saginaw Valley the one point advantage heading into the final 10 minutes of the contest. 

With a Northwood jump shot to start the fourth, the Cardinals would trail for just a moment before a Jacqmain bucket would give SVSU the lead back at 8:37, 50-49. Saginaw Valley State's largest lead of the night of four (53-49) would come at the 8:06 mark.

The Cardinals would keep the lead until 5:35 when Northwood's Grace German posted a layup to make the score, 56-55. 

Kaitlyn Geers notched the next two baskets for the Cardinals, earning back the lead, again, with four minutes left in the contest. Northwood holds on and posts the 19th and final lead change of the night and a 6-0 run against SVSU to lead 65-59 with 17 seconds to spare. 

SVSU's Rozhane Wells' final layup of the night would not be enough to get back the lead before the final buzzer, leading the Timberwolves to their fourth conference win of the season, 69-63, over the Cardinals. 

Inside the Boxscore 

• Geers had her career high with 12 points and six boards, earning herself the Meijer "Player of the Game" honors. She notched two blocks as well. 
• Forward Duffy added her second double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 rebounds, going 4-for-4 in free throws. She added one assist and block for the Cardinals. 
• Hall contributed nine points, eight rebounds and three assists. 
• Jacqmain recorded 11 points, going 5-for-5 from the charity stripe. She had three rebounds and a steal, as well. 
• Saginaw Valley State had a 40-29 edge in boards.
• The Cardinals went 14-17 in free throws. 
• SVSU outscored the Timberwolves 34-30 inside the paint.
• There were 19 lead changes and seven ties in the contest. 

 From head coach Jamie Pewinski

"We had a great effort tonight and gave ourself a chance to come out with a victory. Unfortunately, we didn't make enough plays in the final four minutes to finish the game out. Northwood puts a lot of pressure on you to get back in transition and I felt for most of the game we did a great job of slowing them down, but you can't turn it over 20 times and expect to win a tight game on the road. Overall, I like where are as a team right now and the growth we have shown in the last week. We will enjoy our break for the holidays and be ready to get back at it after Christmas!"

 Up Next... 

The Cardinals will take a break for the Holiday season and will return back home for their next game on Saturday, Dec. 30 to take on region opponent, Lewis University. The Flyers will be coming off a 70-61 loss over Florida Southern University. Tip-off is slated for 1 p.m. in O'Neill Arena. 

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