The Basics
Score: No. 21 Saginaw Valley 92, Lake Superior 87
Records: SVSU (18-4, 14-2 GLIAC) | LSSU (15-7, 10-6 GLIAC)
Location: Bud Cooper Gymnasium - Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.
SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. - The 21st-ranked SVSU men's basketball team notched its sixth straight win on the road at Lake Superior State University Thursday evening. The Cardinals fell behind in the first half of the opening period, but came back to take the a seven point lead (49-42) before halftime, and kept the lead for a 92-87 victory over the Lakers.
Saginaw Valley took its first lead (3-2) after Mitchell Baenziger opened scoring for the Cardinals at the 19:28 minute mark. The teams traded the lead and were tied four more times, with the Lakers pulling ahead by as much as seven points at the 8:57 minute mark.
The Cardinals took control of the lead with seven minutes left in the half after a three-pointer from Damon Bozeman made the score 32-31. Caleb Davis made back to back three-point shots, followed by an additional three pointer from Bozeman, which extended Saginaw Valley's lead to a period-high of 10 points. The Lakers came back to cut the lead to seven, ending the period 49-42.
Three minutes into the second half, the Cardinals drove their lead to a game high of 15 points at 59-44. The Lakers quickly responded, taking the lead down to one (61-60) at the 14:31 minute mark. LSSU kept the lead under double-digits, coming within one point of the Cardinals twice more.
Bozeman and Kellen Smith made two free throws each in the last 10 seconds to end the game with Saginaw Valley five points ahead, 92-87.
Inside the Boxscore
- Bozeman posted a season-high and led the Cardinals with 29 points, going 10-of-16 from the floor. He grabbed six rebounds, adding two assists and one steal.
- C.J. Turnage recorded 14 points and led SV with four assists.
- Davis contributed 13 points, shooting a perfect five-of-five from the floor and three-of-three from beyond the arc. He also grabbed six rebounds.
- Garrett Hall and Vincent Adams chipped in with 11 and 9 points, respectively. Hall is just now a single point shy of 1,000 for his career.
- SVSU out-rebounded LSSU 31-24 and received 25 points from the bench compared to the Lakers' 11.
- The Cardinals posted their second-highest shooting percentage of the season at 59.3% (32-of-54). The Lakers were 31-of-57 (54.4%).
- Akaemji Williams led the Lakers, posting 29 points and eight assists.
Meijer "Player of the Game"
Bozeman earned Meijer "Player of the Game" honors after his season-high 29 points with six rebounds, two helpers and one steal.
From Head Coach Randy Baruth...
"We are very proud of our guys for pulling out a tough road win tonight against a tough team. We look to carry the momentum into Saturday when we face another tough matchup with Northwood."
Up Next for SVSU
Saginaw Valley hosts Northwood on Saturday (Feb. 6) in an 8:00 p.m. matchup. The Timberwolves are 12-10 overall and 8-8 in the conference after defeating Hillsdale 75-60 in a home contest on Thursday evening. It will be a WHITE OUT at O'Neill Arena, with all fans being asked to wear white. All students are also being provided with free pizza between games, compliments of Mr. and Mrs. Baruth.
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