UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. -- The Saginaw Valley State University men's basketball finished the 2021-22 season with a 19-11 overall record and 12-8 mark in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play, earning the GLIAC South Division title. SVSU posted a 14-3 record in home games at James E. O'Neill Jr. Arena and was 5-7 on the road during the season.
Highlights included an 80-63 victory on the road at Western Michigan University. It was the first-ever victory over an NCAA Division I opponent by the Cardinals. SVSU also played an exhibition game against Butler University at Hinkle Fieldhouse and fell 68-57 in a competitive game.
Other highlights included defeating rival Grand Valley State University three times during the year, including in the GLIAC Quarterfinals. SVSU also posted a season sweep over Northwood University in what was the Timberwolves' final year as a member of the GLIAC.
In the GLIAC Tournament, SVSU defeated GVSU 70-58 in the quarterfinals at O'Neill Arena on Mar. 2 before falling to tournament champion Davenport University in the semifinals at Michigan Tech on March 5.
At the end of the season, senior Delano Smith was named First Team All-GLIAC, while fellow seniors Darnell Hoskins Jr. and Tyler Witz were named Second Team All-GLIAC. Hoskins Jr. was also named to the All-Tournament Team at the conclusion of the GLIAC Tournament.
Hoskins Jr. broke the career 3-pointers made school record this season in the Cardinals 89-67 victory over Grace Christian on Dec. 12. He ended his career with 277 career 3-point field goals made. The Dayton, Ohio native also ended his career with 1577 points, ranking ninth all-time in program history, and 168 steals (fifth all-time in SVSU history). He appeared in 127 games for the Cardinals, which ranks second in program history.
James Toohey ended his career playing in 133 games and not missing a single one, ranking first all-time in games played with the program. The Canberra, Australia native ranked second behind Hoskins Jr. in career 3-pointers made with 219. Toohey also ended his career in a Cardinal with a career 86.2% free-throw percentage, ranking first all-time in program history.
Smith transferred to SVSU from Davenport University. In his time with the Cardinals, he scored 888 points and averaged 14.3 points per game during his career. He led SVSU in scoring this season with 17.0 points per game and grabbed 6.5 rebounds per game.
Tyler Witz came to the Cardinals this season from North Dakota State University, leading the team in rebounding with 7.6 rebounds per game and posting 12.5 points per game.
SVSU had multiple underclassmen contribute as well.
Freshman Freddie McIntosh appeared in all 30 games, making 16 starts and averaging 6.7 points per game. Tre Garrett was another Cardinal who played in all 30 games for SVSU. The sophomore was a solid defender as he recorded 1.6 steals per game, ranking fifth in the GLIAC. Jarno Pomstra and Alijah Harrison also came off the bench for the Cardinals and appeared in every game as well.
The Cardinals were led by head coach Randy Baruth, who concluded his 10th season at SVSU. He was assisted by Tommy Twardecki and Barry Huckeby.