BIG RAPIDS, MICH. – The Saginaw Valley State University women's basketball team traveled to Ferris State University for a critical GLIAC matchup. The Cardinals (14-10, 9-5 GLIAC) were able to remain in their fourth-place position after securing a win against the Bulldogs (14-10, 8-7 GLIAC)
Seniors Kaitlyn Zarycki and Tori DePerry continued their dominance on the hardwood this afternoon dropping 24 and 21 points respectively. Meanwhile, freshman Emma Dziezgowski dropped a career-high 20 points on six makes from beyond the arc.
It was a hot start for SVSU as Tyler Scheid made a jumper 11 seconds into the game, and an offensive foul by Ferris State 20 seconds later would allow for Tori DePerry to add to the early tally. The Cardinals went on a 10-2 run to start the first and would extend that run on a pair of free throws from Lauren Sollom. SVSU had one of its best quarters of the season outscoring the Bulldogs 26-10.
The Cardinals started their second quarter right where they left off with a three-point basket from Emma Dziezgowski thanks to a block on the defensive end by Kaitlyn Zarycki. Ferris State would answer with a 9-2 run of their own. The next three minutes were dominated by defense for both squads. Dziezgowski hit her third three-pointer of the afternoon to put SVSU up 15 and then followed with two free throws on the next possession to give her 11 in the first half. Tori DePerry hit a layup as time expired to give the Cardinals the 40-26 lead going into half.
Second half action started with a quick three-pointer by Ferris State until Dziezgowski answered with one of her own on the other end of the floor. SVSU had a rough third-quarter as they were only able to post nine points offensively but held Ferris State to just 14 points leaving the Bulldogs at a nine-point deficit headed into the final period.
The fourth quarter was an offensive masterpiece. Both squads dropped 31 points in a back-and-forth battle. The period started off with buckets by both squads and they would trade for the remainder of the game. The Cardinals knocked down 15 free throws to finish on top, winning 80-71.
UP NEXT
The women's team faces off against Number six ranked Grand Valley State University at home for Senior Day on Thursday, February 16th at 6pm.