The Basics
Score: Saginaw Valley 82, Malone 69
Records: SVSU (6-4, 3-2 GLIAC) | MU (4-6, 1-4 GLIAC)
Location: James E. O'Neill Jr. Arena - University Center, Mich.
University Center, Mich. - The SVSU women's basketball team kicked-off 2016 looking to claim its second straight victory, hosting Malone University on Saturday (Jan. 2) at SVSU's O'Neill Arena. The Lady Cardinals got double-figures in scoring from three players, including a season best performance from Emily Wendling with 31 points and 14 rebounds as the team posted an 82-69 home victory over the Pioneers.
After Malone jumped out to a quick 6-2 lead, SVSU bounced back and knotted the score at 8-8 with 5:37 to play in the opening quarter after Katelyn Carriere made good on a three-point shot.
The lead bounced back-and-forth a bit in the opening frame, and the Cards got back out front with just 30 ticks left on the clock when Halee Nieman connected on a pair of free throws to make the score 20-19 in SVSU's favor. Alex Green completed a three-point play after being fouled on a jumper, pushing the Cardinal advantage to 23-19 for the quarter.
In the second quarter, SVSU stepped-up its defensive effort and only allowed 10 Malone points. Saginaw Valley extended its lead to as many as 17 points at 44-27 with 43 seconds showing on the clock after Danielle Carriere hit a shot from beyond the arc. The Lady Cardinals would hold a 44-29 lead heading into the halftime break after outscoring the visitors 21-10 in the second.
The Pioneers cut the lead to 10 points within the first two minutes of the third period after consecutive buckets to open the third quarter.
The Cardinals responded with three layups from Emily Wendling, two triples from Katelyn Carriere and Anna Hall gave the home squad its largest lead of 22 points after a layup at the 4:58 marker.
Malone, however, was able to trim the deficit to 10 points (62-52) with 9 seconds left in the third but two free throws from Wendling with 13 seconds remaining made the score 64-52 after 30 minutes of action.
SVSU posted an 18-17 edge in the fourth quarter and would hold on for its second straight victory, an 82-69 decision over the Pioneers. Wendling added 11 points in the fourth quarter.
Inside the Boxscore
- Wendling scored a season-high 31 points, going 13-of-19 shooting. She added a game-best 14 rebounds as well, 10 of which were on the offensive end.
- Katelyn Carriere posted a season-high 18 points for the Cardinals and grabbed five rebounds.
- Danielle Carriere contributed 13 points and went 6-of-8 from the floor. She had a team-high three steals, three rebounds and an assist as well.
- Halee Nieman and Anna Hall recorded seven and six points, respectively.Hall added six rebounds, five assists and a steal in another solid all-around effort. Nieman chipped-in four boards, three helpers and a steal.
- SVSU shot an impressive 57.1% (32-56) from the floor while Malone recorded a shooting percentage of 45.6% (26-57). The Cards were 12-of-14 (85.7%) from the charity stripe as well.
- The Lady Cardinals held the advantage in rebounds at 37-19 and points in the paint with a mark of 42-30. SVSU got 15 second chance points, aided by a dozen offensive rebounds.
- Rachel Goddard led the Pioneers with 14 points, going 6-of-14 from the floor.
Meijer "Player of the Game"
Wendling was named the Meijer "Player of the Game," as she posted season-high of 31 points and game -best 14 boards. Her career-highs for those categories are 33 and 16, respectively.
From Head Coach Jamie Pewinski...
Up Next for Saginaw Valley
The Cardinals will tip-off against Walsh University in another home matchup Sunday (Jan. 3) at 6:00 p.m. The Cavaliers are coming off a 66-60 victory at Hillsdale College on Saturday afternoon.
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