The Basics

Score: Saginaw Valley 86, Grace Bible 59
Records: SVSU (11-3) | GB (14-8)
Location: James E. O'Neill Jr. Arena - University Center, Mich.

University Center, Mich. - The SVSU men's basketball team defeated Grace Bible in a non-conference matchup in the O'Neill Arena on Monday night. The Cardinals posted a season-high 23 steals to defeat the Tigers 86-59.

SV took the lead quickly, leading 9-2 before the 18 minute mark. The Tigers came back, tying it up twice before taking the lead 17-13 with 12:13 left on the clock.

The Cardinals responded quickly, with Sterling Johnson making back to back layups, followed by a three-pointer from Garrett Hall. This took Saginaw Valley into the lead 20-17 with 11 minutes to go in the half.

SV kept the lead for the rest of the period, pulling ahead by 10 points (43-33) with 32 seconds left on the clock after a layup from Damon Bozeman.

Grace Bible's Bernard Smith made a jump shot in the last seconds, taking the lead down to eight as they headed into halftime. 

The Cardinals extended the lead to 13 points in the first minute of the second half after a layup from Kellen Smith and three pointer from Bozeman. The Tigers were able to knock down the lead to eight, 50-42 by the 17:24 mark, which was the closest they would get for the rest of the game.

SV had its largest lead of 27 points (86-59) after back to back lay ups from Vincent Adams with 1:21 left on the clock. That's where the score stayed for the rest of the games, giving the Cardinals their 11th victory of the season.

Inside the Boxscore

• Bozeman led the Cardinals in scoring with 18 points. He also contributed five steals, five rebounds and three assists.
• Turnage led the game and had a career-high of six steals, also posting 17 points, going 8-of-11 in shooting.
• Hall posted 10 points, four steals, one assist, and one rebound.
• Johnson, Mike Wells, and Wade Gelhaus each contributed seven points. Gelhaus led the game with seven rebounds.
• Smith posted a career-high 11 assists in the contest. 
• SVSU shot 46.7% (35-75) from the floor and Grace Bible was 47.3% (26-55).
• The Cardinals received 34 points from the bench compared to the Tiger's 20. SV tallied 29 points off of turnovers, while Grace Bible posted seven.
• Jared Bradford led the Tigers, posting 21 points, going 8-of-13 in shooting.

Meijer "Player of the Game"

Smith earned Meijer "Playe of the Game" honors after his career-best 11 helpers. He scored two points, adding a steal and rebound in the game. 

Up Next for SVSU

Saginaw Valley hosts Lake Superior State University on Thursday (Jan. 14) at 8:00 pm before traveling to Northwood on Saturday (Jan. 16) at 6:00 pm. Lake Superior is 11-2 overall and 6-1 in the GLIAC. The Lakers are coming off a 76-63 victory at Tiffin on Saturday afternoon. It will be a first place matchup between the North Division foes.

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