UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. - The Saginaw Valley men's basketball team got out to a quick start but was unable to pick up the victory over Grand Valley, falling 60-52.
SVSU (11-12, 9-11 GLIAC) started off the contest on an 11-2 run after six minutes of play when Chris Webb (Saginaw, Mich. / Arthur Hill HS) made a driving layup.
The Cardinals increased their advantage to 21-12 with three straight points by Brett Beland (Menominee, Mich. / Menominee HS) at the 9:54 mark of the first half.
Saginaw Valley got a miraculous three-point play by Webb who managed to get a double-clutching layup to drop. The bucket gave SVSU a 28-19 lead with just over four minutes to play.
However, SVSU did not get another bucket in the half and went into the locker room clinging to a 28-27 lead over Grand Valley (17-7, 14-6 GLIAC).
The Cardinals never trailed in the first half thanks to their 8-0 advantage in second chance points and 13-11 rebounding advantage.
Webb's 12 points paced Saginaw Valley, while Jay Thames (Port Huron, Mich. / Port Huron Northern HS) grabbed a team-high four boards. Beland chipped in with six points.
SVSU fell behind to start the second half and trailed 37-30 after four minutes of play. Saginaw Valley would pull within three with 14:18 to play after a 17-foot jumper by Beland.
The Cardinals were unable to convert open looks and fell behind 49-40 with just over five minutes remaining in the contest.
SVSU made a late run with timely defense and a pair of free throws by Thames to narrow the Cardinal deficit to 52-48 with 2:40 left on the clock.
However, Saginaw Valley could not convert on offense down the stretch and fell to the Lakers by a 60-52 margin in the final home contest of the year.
Saginaw Valley shot just 19 percent from the floor in the second half, while GVSU was able to connect on 53 percent of their field goals. The Cardinals handled the ball well and enjoyed a plus-seven turnover margin for the game but couldn't keep the Lakers out of the paint and lost the points in the paint battle, 32-18.
Webb was named Meijer "Player of the Game" going for a team-high 15 points on his Senior Night. Beland had a strong showing with 12 points and four rebounds. Thames pulled down a team-high eight boards.
Prior to the contest, the four seniors on the men's basketball team were recognized in a Senior Night ceremony for their hard work and dedication during their SVSU careers.
The Saginaw Valley men's basketball team will return to action Saturday (Feb. 23) when they take to the road for a 1:00 PM matchup against Ferris State.
