The Basics
Score: Saginaw Valley 94, Walsh 89
Records: SVSU (9-2, 6-0 GLIAC) | WU (5-5, 3-3 GLIAC)
Location: James E. O'Neill Jr. Arena - University Center, Mich.
UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. - The SVSU men's basketball team ran its win streak to eight games after posting a comeback 94-89 home victory over the Walsh University Cavaliers on Sunday (Jan. 3) night at SVSU's O'Neill Arena.
After being outscored by a 55-41 margin after the opening 20 minutes of play, SVSU owned the second half and closed things out with a 53-34 edge in the second half to grab the five point victory.
The Cardinals opened the game with consecutive layups from Damon Bozeman and Kellen Smith to grab a quick 4-0 lead at the 18:45 marker.
SVSU held that lead and, despite a pair of ties, all the way until Walsh hit a three pointer at the 15:40 mark to take its first lead of the contest at 15-14.
The Cavaliers would lead the rest of the way for the first half, opening up an 18 point advantage with 1:39 to play at 55-37.
Back-to-back buckets from Bozeman would trim the lead to 14 points, as the Cards trailed by a score of 55-41 heading into halftime.
SVSU would slowly gain momentum in the second half, getting a spark in Vincent Adams off the bench, who scored six consecutive SVSU points, the last pair coming on a layup with 9:48 to play that cut the Cavalier lead to just six points at 72-66.
A three-pointer from Mitchell Baenziger with 6:06 to play gave the home team its first lead since the 15:08 marker of the first half, making the score 78-77 in SVSU's advantage.
The lead would slide back-and-forth from there, as the game was tied six times in the final six minutes.
A jumper from Garrett Hall would give SVSU the lead back at 1:57 to play and C.J. Turnage would convert on a free throw to make the lead 92-89 with just 23 seconds left.
After a pair of missed triples from Walsh, Smith got a defensive rebound with 3.0 seconds left and was fouled. He sank both shots, increasing the Cards' advantage out to 94-89. That's where it would remain, with SVSU improving to 9-2 overall and 6-0 in the GLIAC after the win.
Inside the Boxscore
- Turnage scored a career-high of 29 points, going 12-of-17 from the floor. He had a game-high three blocks, added four assists and a pair of steals as well.
- Bozeman scored 16 points and grabbed a game-high eight boards.
- Adams recorded 14 points, three assists and two steals.
- Smith scored a season-high 13 points and added eight assists while grabbing four rebounds. The eight helpers mark a season-high and are just one shy of his career-high.
- Garrett Hall added 10 points for the Cardinals.
- SVSU shot a season-high 56.5% (35-62) from the floor while Walsh was 54.4% (31-57).
- The Cardinal bench outscored the Cavaliers by 24-10 and in points in the paint with 56 compared to 38.
- Jesse Hardin Jr. led the Cavs with 25 points and five boards.
Meijer "Player of the Game"
Adams was named the Meijer "Player of the Game" after his 14 point effort with three assists and two steals.
From Head Coach Randy Baruth...
Up Next for SVSU
Saginaw Valley plays next at the University of Findlay on Thursday (Jan. 7) evening. The Oilers are coming off an 82-66 victory at Grand Valley State on Sunday. The game will be held at Findlay's Croy Gymnasium.
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