UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. - The Saginaw Valley State University women's basketball team picked-up its first GLIAC victory of the 2009-10 season, an 85-80 defeat of visiting Ashland University today (Dec. 19) at SVSU's Ryder Center.  The win puts the Lady Cardinals' record at 3-5 overall on the season with a 1-3 mark in the GLIAC.  Ashland's record is now 3-5 overall as well with a 1-4 record in conference play.

SVSU trailed 35-31 at halftime of a game which saw 12 ties and 10 lead changes.  The lead would change hands several times in the second half, with the Lady Cardinals taking a one-point lead with 9:45 left in the second frame.  SVSU would lead by as much as eight from that point, and would finish strong for the five-point victory.

Four SVSU players finished with double-digit scoring figures on the afternoon.  Junior forward Brittany Burkhardt (West Bloomfield, Mich./Walled Lake Central HS) had a double-double, scoring 18 points and grabbing a game-high 14 rebounds.  Senior Kelley Wesp (Cincinnati, Ohio/Glen Este HS) had 20 points for Saginaw, as well as a team-high four assists.  Junior Rhonda Gusa (Harbor Beach, Mich./Delta College) had 10 points and 8 rebounds off the bench for SVSU.  Freshman Aysha Boston (Detroit, Mich./Renaissance HS) also came-off the bench with a strong preformance, scoring 10 points.  Freshman Grace Herzog (Linden, Mich./Powers Catholic HS) also did some work on the glass for SVSU, recording 11 rebounds while blocking a game-high six shots.

The Lady Cardinals will be on the road for their next game, as they travel to play California (Pa.) on Monday, Dec. 21.  Tip-off time for the non-conference tilt is scheduled for 6:00 pm.