BIG RAPIDS, Mich. - Saginaw Valley State University women's basketball dropped an 89-67 decision at Ferris State on Monday evening inside Jim Wink Arena.
The Cardinals (4-14, 2-8 GLIAC) stayed competitive early, shooting 50.0 percent from the field in the first half and knocking down six three-pointers, but the Bulldogs (15-4, 8-2 GLIAC) used a strong third quarter to create separation. The Bulldogs outscored SVSU 27-13 in the third period and never relinquished control the rest of the way.
Ferris State opened the game with an early surge, scoring the first six points before the Cardinals settled in. Saginaw Valley State responded with a strong stretch midway through the first quarter as Lauren Borsenik (Hemlock, Mich. / Hemlock HS) scored inside and three-pointers from Kaitlyn Geurink (Hamilton, Mich. / Hamilton HS) and Chloe Kilbride (Perrysburg, Ohio / Perrysburg HS) fueled a run that briefly gave SVSU its only lead of the game at 14-13 with 4:39 remaining. The Bulldogs answered immediately, closing the quarter on a 10-3 run to regain control and take a 23-17 lead after one.
The Cardinals stayed within striking distance in the second quarter. A three-pointer from Geurink and a deep shot from Megan McCalla (Chelsea, Mich. / Chelsea HS) cut the deficit to five at 25-20, but Ferris State countered with consecutive baskets in the paint. SVSU continued to trade stops and scores late in the half, but the Bulldogs closed the second quarter with a final push, extending the margin to 38–29 at halftime following a layup in the closing seconds.
Momentum shifted decisively early in the third quarter as Ferris State opened the half on a 7–0 run, pushing the lead into double figures. Saginaw Valley State briefly slowed the stretch with a layup from Lydia Meredith (Portland, Mich. / Portland St. Patrick's HS) and free throws from McCalla, but Ferris responded with a series of three-pointers to build separation. The Bulldogs outscored the Cardinals 27-13 in the third quarter and carried a commanding lead into the final period.
Despite the deficit, Saginaw Valley State continued to compete in the fourth quarter. Elizabeth Stuart (Medina, Ohio / Medina HS) provided a spark off the bench, knocking down three three-pointers and helping the Cardinals string together multiple mini-runs. SVSU scored 25 points in the final quarter, matching its highest-scoring period of the game, but each push was met with timely answers from Ferris State, allowing the Bulldogs to maintain control down the stretch.
Borsenik led the Cardinals with 14 points, shooting 4-of-8 from the field and 5-of-5 at the free-throw line. McCalla finished with 12 points and two steals, while Stuart added 13 points off the bench. Emma Dziezgowski (Bethel Park, Pa. / Bethel Park HS) contributed nine points, and Meredith posted five points, eight rebounds, six assists, and a block.
Saginaw Valley State shot 41.7 percent from the field and 40.0 percent from three-point range, connecting on 10 triples. The Cardinals went 17-of-22 at the free-throw line and held a 28–20 advantage in bench scoring, but Ferris State forced 28 turnovers and converted them into 27 points.
Up Next: Saginaw Valley women's basketball comes home for a pair of games this weekend. They host Parkside on Thursday, January 29 at 5:30 PM and Roosevelt on Saturday, January 31 at 1:00 PM at James E. O'Neill Arena.
