UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – The Saginaw Valley State University women's basketball team hosted Lake Superior State Thursday night at James E. O'Neill Arena. The Cardinals (4-13, GLIAC 2-7) fell to the Lakers (5-12, 2-7 GLIAC) with a final score of 79-73.
Meijer Player of the Game, Megan McCalla (Chelsea, Mich. / Chelsea HS) tied for a game-high 22 points, shooting 7-14 from the floor. She added six rebounds, an assist, two steals, and a block. Kaitlyn Geurink (Hamilton, Mich. / Hamilton HS) was the other Cardinal in double figures with 14 points. She had five boards as well. Lydia Meredith (Portland, Mich. / Portland St. Patrick's HS) led the team in rebounds with seven, assists with eight, and steals with five.
LSSU had the most successful quarter with a five-point lead in the first. They jumped out to a 12-4 lead at the first media timeout. The Cardinals used an 8-2 run with two threes by Chloe Kilbride (Perrysburg, Ohio / Perrysburg HS). SVSU cut the lead to three with a layup by Geurink, but the Lakers hit a bucket at the buzzer to go ahead 21-16. Lainey Yater (McDonald, Pa. / South Fayette HS) hit a three to start the second and McCalla followed up with a layup to cut the lead to two. The Lakers built the lead back to seven multiple times and hit another buzzer beater to go ahead 38-32 at the half.
Halfway through the third, the Cardinals went on a 7-0 run fueled by McCalla hitting three shots and a free throw, cutting the lead to 42-41. When Saginaw Valley dug their way back, Lake Superior State found a way to extend it. A bucket-and-one by Meredith made it 54-52 but a pair of free throws made it a four-point game for LSSU heading into the fourth. SVSU took their first lead early in the quarter with a three from Meredith and a layup by Lauren Borsenik (Hemlock, Mich. / Hemlock HS). McCalla pushed the lead to four but a 7-0 run for the Lakers put them back ahead for good. Geurink brought the Cardinals within two late in the game, but eight free throws for LSSU sealed the game.
Up Next: Saginaw Valley has a few days to prepare for Ferris State as they head to Big Rapids, Michigan on Monday, January 26. The Cardinals and Bulldogs tip-off at 5:30 PM from Jim Wink Arena.
