UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. - The Saginaw Valley State University men's basketball team lost in overtime tonight (Feb. 2) at home against Northwood University by a final score of 78-71.

The Cardinals (8-10, 6-9 GLIAC) got out to an early 5-2 lead after a three-point bucket and layup by Meijer "Player of the Game" Mike Schaaf (Saginaw, Mich. / Arthur Hill HS). Schaaf finished the contest with a season-high 18 points on 7-of-12 shooting.

However, SVSU would surrender five consecutive three-pointers as Northwood (8-11, 7-8 GLIAC) went ahead 21-12 after ten minutes of play.

The Cardinals and Timberwolves battled back and forth before a triple by Chris Webb (Saginaw, Mich. / Arthur Hill HS) sent Saginaw Valley into the half down 35-30.

The Cardinals came out in the second half with increased focus and aggression on both ends of the floor. A Chris Webb and-one three-point play capped a 13-6 run to start the second half to give SVSU a 43-41 lead with just over 12 minutes to play.

Saginaw Valley continued their hard-nosed play and took their biggest lead of the game 53-46 on a three-pointer by Brett Beland (Menominee, Mich.) with 9:44 left to play.

However, down the stretch the Timberwolves managed several second chance opportunities as SVSU fell behind 64-62 with 1:32 to play.

Saginaw Valley tied the game up at 64-64 with 1:25 remaining on a pair of free throws by Webb. On the ensuing possession, the Cardinals defense gave up a second chance tip-in.

Webb would responded with two free throws to tie the game with 34 seconds left in regulation.

The Cardinal defense stood tall on the final possession and forced a missed shot to send the game into overtime.

With SVSU trailing by four points with just over two minutes to play in overtime, a three-pointer by Schaaf cut the Cardinal deficit to 70-69.

However, Saginaw Valley would not get any closer in the overtime period and eventually fell 78-71.

For the game, SVSU forced 18 turnovers, while only giving the ball away 11 times. However, the Cardinals lost the edge on the glass by a 46-31 margin.

The Cardinals were led by Webb, who led all scorers with 24 points and Beland, who dropped in 15 points.  

The Saginaw Valley State University men's basketball team will return to action Thursday (Feb. 7) for a 5:30 PM road contest against Lake Superior State.