ALLENDALE, Mich. – The 2020-21 season opener for the Saginaw Valley State University men's basketball team got off to a strong start, with the Cardinals leading Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference foe Grand Valley State University by double digits midway through the first half Saturday in Allendale, Mich.

The Lakers quickly turned the game around, rallying for a six-point lead at the break and held on for a 76-59 victory to drop the Cardinals to 0-1 overall and 0-1 in the GLIAC to start the season.

Darnell Hoskins Jr. hit a 3-pointer with 9:53 to play in the first half, giving the Cardinals a 23-11 lead, and forcing a timeout by the Lakers (1-0, 1-0 GLIAC). The home team answered with a 17-4 run to claim the lead and the momentum heading into the break. GVSU pulled away with a 12-0 run to open the second half, securing the win.

Hoskins Jr. led SVSU with 12 points, all coming on 4-of-5 shooting from 3-point range. Myles Belyeu added 11 points on 4-of-14 shooting from the field, while Delano Smith finished with 10 points and a team-high six rebounds off the bench.

The Cardinals shot 20-of-57 (35.1 percent) from the field, 7-of-26 (26.9 percent) from deep and 12-of-19 (63.2 percent) from the line, while totaling 10 assists, five steals and 12 turnovers.

Jordan Harris led the Lakers with 21 points, while Christian Negron added 12 points and 11 rebounds for a double-double. GVSU won the rebounding battle 40-36.

The Cardinals and Lakers tip-off for a second straight day, starting at 3 pm Sunday in Allendale, Mich.

(File photo used from 2019-20 season)

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