The Basics

Score: Ferris State 57, Saginaw Valley 55
Records: FSU (4-16, 4-10 GLIAC) | SVSU (13-6, 10-4 GLIAC)
Location: Jim Wink Arena - Big Rapids, Mich.

BIG RAPIDS, Mich. - The SVSU women's basketball team hit the road to face Ferris State University on Saturday (Jan. 30) in a GLIAC North Division contest in Big Rapids, Mich. After running out to a 21-15 first quarter lead, the Lady Cardinals couldn't overcome a a 15-5 second quarter deficit and fell on a buzzer-beater by the Bulldogs by a final score of 57-55.

After SVSU opened the game's scoring on a three-pointer by Katelyn Carriere, SVSU led by as many as eight points (14-6) with 5:10 left to play in the opening frame after consecutive buckets from Halee Nieman. 

An Emily Wendling layup with 30 seconds left in the quarter made the score 21-15, which is what the score would remain at the break. 

The Bulldogs posted a 15-5 edge in the second quarter and held a 30-26 lead heading into halftime. 

An Anna Hall layup at the 7:46 marker of the third quarter drew the game to a stalemate with a 31-31 score, but Ferris State would get the lead back and lead by a 42-39 mark despite a Katelyn Carriere jumper with six seconds showing on the game clock for the third quarter.

Ferris had its largest lead of six points (45-39) with 9:08 left in the game, but a Hannah Settingsgaard layup at the 4:52 mark knotted the score at 48-48.

The home squad led 55-50 with 24 seconds left to play, but Nieman struck on a clutch three-pointer and a pair of Emily Wendling free throws with 19 seconds to go tied the score at 55-55. 

Ferris got the ball on the baseline and, after pushing the limit on a 10-second call to get the ball in, would get a made jumper at the buzzer from Emily Evans to make the score 57-55, which is where the score would stand as the scoreboard struck zeros. 

Inside the Boxscore

• Nieman posted a team-high 16 points with eight rebounds and a career-high five steals. 
• Wendling posted another double-double, notching 13 points and 14 boards for SVSU, tying a career-high with three blocks. 
• Katelyn Carriere netted 10 points, adding four rebounds and four assists. 
• Despite a solid defensive effort in which SVSU held Ferris to 34.4% shooting, the Lady Cards posted a 28.6 percentage from the field. 

Meijer "Player of the Game"

Nieman earned Meijer "Player of the Game" honors after her 16 points, eight boards and career-high five steals. 

Up Next for Saginaw Valley

The Lady Cardinals continue on the road and play at Hillsdale College on Monday (Feb. 1) evening in a GLIAC North Division matchup. Tip-off is set for 6:00 p.m. at Hillsdale's Dawn Tibbetts Potter Arena. The Chargers are coming off a 63-42 loss at Grand Valley State Saturday afternoon.

@SVSUWBB | #svsuwbb