TIFFIN, Ohio – The Saginaw Valley State University women’s basketball team defeated Tiffin University today (Feb. 13), 82-78 in a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletics Conference (GLIAC) contest. The win snaps a 12-game losing streak for the Cardinals and brings their overall record to 5-18 overall 3-15 in the GLIAC while Tiffin falls to 6-17 overall on the season and 3-15 in the GLIAC.

The Cardinals took the early lead as junior Brittany Burkhardt (West Bloomfield, Mich. / Walled Lake Central HS) hit a three pointer within the first two minutes of action. Saginaw Valley showed offensive dominance as they held a 24 point advantage over the Dragons with 1:40 left of action in the first half. Both Burkhardt and freshman Jasmine Kennedy (Harper Woods, Mich./Grosse Pointe North HS) led the way for the Cardinals in the first half with 11 points each.

Maintaining strong offensive play, freshman Grace Herzog (Linden, Mich. / Powers Catholic HS) knocked down a pair of free throws to bring the lead back to 24. Herzog ended the afternoon with six points and a team high five rebounds. The Dragons would begin to respond as they took the lead by one with under a minute and a half remaining on the game clock. Junior Kelley Wesp (Cincinnati, Ohio / Glen Este HS) hit a jump shot to give the Cardinals back the lead, as they went on to victory, 82-78.

Saginaw Valley was lead overall in scoring by junior Rhonda Gusa (Harbor Beach, Mich./Harbor Beach HS/Delta CC) who posted 16 points and three rebounds while Kennedy scored 15 points, pulled down four rebounds and dished out one assist. Burkhardt ended the afternoon with 11 points and three rebounds while sophomore Marah Kyle (Bluffton, Ind.) tallied 11 points and had one assist.

The Cardinals will return to action as they host Ferris State University on Feb. 18 at 6 pm.