Cardinals claim GLIAC-opening victory over Huskies

Cardinals claim GLIAC-opening victory over Huskies

HOUGHTON -- The Saginaw Valley State University women's basketball team clenches a 60-59 victory over the Michigan Tech Huskies in the GLIAC opener. Maddie Maloney hit the game-winning free-throw with less than a second remaining in the game to give the Cardinals a 1-0 GLIAC record.

SVSU opened the first quarter down, 13-8, to the Huskies. Kaitlyn Zarycki had seven points for SVSU and added the go-ahead basket for the Cardinals in the first half as SVSU led MTU, 21-16.

SVSU led the Huskies by a largest margin of seven points in the second quarter. The Huskies put up a fight to knot the game, 23-23, but the Cardinals would retake the lead on two three-pointers added by Maddie Maloney. SVSU entered the locker room up, 32-29, despite being outscored, 13-11 by the Huskies in the second quarter.

Mariah Cook led the scoring for SVSU in the third quarter adding five points for the Cardinals and shot 100% from the floor. The Cardinals outscored the Huskies, 19-13, in the third quarter extending their lead 51-42.

The Huskies fought back in the fourth quarter holding the Cardinals to just nine points while adding 17 of their own. The Huskies tied the game, 59-59, with seven seconds left in the fourth quarter. The Cardinals would inbound the ball to Maloney who drove to the basket to draw a foul on the Huskies with less than one second in the game. Maloney missed the first free-throw but would make the second putting the Cardinals ahead, 60-59. 

Inside the Boxscore

  • Maloney finished the game with 11 points, with the game winner falling in her favor. She added four boards, five assists and a steal in the GLIAC opener.
  • Kaitlyn Zarycki led the Cardinals in scoring with 15 points and grabbing five boards. She added three assists and a steal.
  • Aaliah Hill added seven points and five boards for the Cardinals.
  • The win in Houghton is SVSU's first on the road versus the Huskies since the Dec. 9, 2006. 

From Head Coach Jenny Pruett

"Again turnovers were a crucial part of this game. They scored 21 points off our 20 turnovers. Also, free-throws hurt us. 50% at the free-throw line is not an acceptable number. We are in these games because our girls have so much fight in them and they are ready to win. I'm very proud of the way they fight. If we clean up our turnovers and shoot with confidence at the free-throw line we are going to be a tough team to play against!"

Up Next...

SVSU is back in action Saturday (Dec. 7) as they continue GLIAC play against the Northern Michigan Wildcats with tip-off set for 3:00 p.m.