CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky. – The Saginaw Valley State University women's basketball team came up short on the road Sunday afternoon, falling 77–55 to Thomas More University at Connor Convocation Center.

The Cardinals (2–6) showed fight throughout the afternoon and put together their strongest stretch coming out of halftime, but Thomas More used consistent scoring inside and a strong fourth quarter to pull away.

SVSU struggled to find an offensive rhythm early, managing just five first-quarter points as the Saints built an 11–5 advantage. The Cardinals settled in during the second quarter, getting to the free-throw line and knocking down perimeter shots, but Thomas More continued to control the paint and took a 30–20 lead into the break.

Coming out of the locker room, Saginaw Valley delivered its best quarter of the game. The Cardinals scored 25 points in the third, sparked by hot shooting from Megan McCalla (Chelsea, Mich. / Chelsea HS) and Kaitlyn Geurink (Hamilton, Mich. / Hamilton HS), and cut into the deficit with aggressive drives and second-chance opportunities. Despite the push, Thomas More matched the scoring and maintained a 55–45 edge entering the fourth.

The Saints closed the game with a 22-point final period, capitalizing on turnovers and converting inside to seal the win.

McCalla led SVSU with 21 points, shooting 8-of-18 from the field while adding four rebounds, two assists, and a steal. Geurink followed with 15 points, knocking down four three-pointers and grabbing a team-high 11 rebounds for a double-double. Lainey Yater (McDonald, Pa. / South Fayette HS) and Emma Dziezgowski (Bethel Park, Pa. / Bethel Park HS) each scored five points, while Bella Paradowski (Melbourne, Australia / CRC Sydenham) added five points, five rebounds, three blocks, and two steals off the bench.

SVSU shot 19-of-59 (32.2%) from the floor and 8-of-32 (25.0%) from three, while going 9-of-12 at the free-throw line. The Cardinals finished with 36 rebounds, forced 10 turnovers, and recorded eight steals, but were outscored 46–20 in the paint.

Up Next: Saginaw Valley returns home to continue nonconference play on Wednesday, Dec. 17. The Cardinals host Walsh with tip-off scheduled for 5:00 PM from James E. O'Neill Arena.