The Basics
Score: Grand Valley 80, Saginaw Valley 71
Records: GVSU (12-6, 8-3 GLIAC) | SVSU (11-7, 4-7 GLIAC)
GVSU Fieldhouse Arena -Allendale, Mich.
ALLENDALE, Mich.- The Saginaw Valley State men's basketball team traveled to Grand Valley State University on Saturday afternoon in search of its 12th win on the season. The Cardinals were unable to build off a two-point lead at the end of the first half and were defeated 80-71 by the Lakers in this battle of GLIAC North rivals.
Grand Valley set the pace early with a 7-0 scoring run until Jake Daniels ended the Lakers run with a three-pointer with 17:23 left in the first half. The Cardinals were unable to build off the long ball from Daniels, as GVSU then went on a 11-2 scoring run into the media timeout. The Lakers went up 18-5 for their largest lead of the contest slightly before the stoppage.
SVSU cut the Laker lead to seven with a made layup from Mike Wells at the 8:13 mark. The Lakers would grow the edge back to nine points following a made jumper. Garrett Hall pushed the score to 20-12 after splitting a pair of free throws for the Cardinals.
The Cardinals offense then took over after allowing GVSU to take a 22-12 lead with 7:26 left in the first half. SVSU cut the deficit to just two points with a 12-4 scoring run with only 3:30 left in the half.
Saginaw Valley tied the game at 28-28 after Turnage scored off his own rebound. GVSU then scored to take its second lead of the contest. The Cardinals closed the half scoring four points- all from free throws- to take its first lead of the game, 32-30.
SVSU tied the game three times during the first two minutes of the second half but were unable to regain the lead. GVSU made a jumper to hold a 39-36 edge over the Cardinals at the 17:29 mark. The Lakers pushed its lead to eight shortly thereafter and carried the 44-36 score into the media timeout.
The Cardinals regained the advantage over GVSU after the media stoppage courtesy of the three-pointer. SVSU's Malik Garner and Davis combined for three makes from long range for a 9-0 scoring run and a 45-44 Cardinal lead. The lead was short lived, however, as GVSU scored on its next two drives to take its second lead of the second half. The Lakers led by a nine-point margin, 59-51 with 9:09 left to play.
GVSU made a three to go up by double-digits once again. The Cardinals kept the game at a seven-point swing with a string of four consecutive points from Mike Wells. SVSU's defense would settle in and stay in the contest for the latter part of the second half. The Cardinals were able to work the deficit to five points following a three-pointer from Richie Roberts for his first points of the game.
The Lakers led 70-65 with 1:45 remaining and began to pull away from Saginaw Valley. GVSU scored five straight points, ballooning its advantage to 75-65. SVSU sank a pair of free throws to cut the deficit to within eight points. Grand Valley would continue to make its free throws down the stretch and claim the victory, 80-71.
Inside the Boxscore
- Garrett Hall shot a season-high 10-of-14 from the free-throw line en route to a 16-point, seven rebounds and three assist effort against the Lakers. He was tabbed the Meijer "Player of the Game".
- C.J. Turnage scored a team-high 17 points for the Cardinals. He also pulled in four rebounds and blocked two shots in 30 minutes of action.
- Mike Wells chipped in with 10 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals.
- Malik Garner led bench scoring with eight points.
- SVSU was held to just 39.7% shooting agaisnt the Lakers, who finished the contest with a 52.7% field goal percentage.
- SVSU forced the Lakers to 16 turnovers and scored 17 points off miscues.
Up Next...
Saginaw Valley State men's basketball returns to action on Thursday night (Jan. 26) with a matchup against GLIAC North opponent Lake Superior State. The Cardinals and Lakers will meet for the first of two meetings this season. Tip-off from O'Neil Arena will begin 8:00 p.m.
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