Strong Start Leads SVSU Women Past FSU

Postgame Audio Report:
(MP3 File)

University Center, Mich. - Saginaw Valley State jumped out to an early lead and beat the Ferris State women's basketball team 66-50 in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) play on Thursday (Feb. 18) evening at O'Neill Arena in University, Mich.

The host Cardinals took a 31-23 halftime lead in the contest after shooting 50% in the first half of play. They increased their advantage to double-digits early in the second frame and the Bulldogs never could get back within striking distance as SVSU outscored FSU 35-27 over the final 20 minutes of play.

SVSU shot 50% (27-54) from the floor in the game and limited the Bulldogs to only 33.3% (19-57) shooting for the contest. FSU also turned the ball over 20 times in the outing as Saginaw Valley State held a 20-9 edge in points scored off turnovers.

Sophomore guard Tricia Principe paced the Bulldogs with a game-high 16 points in the game, but was the only FSU player to reach double-figure scoring. Both sophomore guard Kelsey DeNoyelles and sophomore Lindsey Pettit added nine points each with junior forward Tiara Adams posting 10 rebounds.

On the opposite side, the Cardinals had two players total 11 points each in Jenna Saarela and Marah Kyle. Jasmine Kennedy chipped in with nine points and Brittany Burkhardt added eight points in the winning effort.

The Bulldogs held a slim 37-33 rebounding edge, but were outscored 30-20 in the paint.

SVSU's bench also totaled 25 points compared to only eight for the Bulldog reserves.

SVSU netted 15 assists, 16 steals and two blocked shots with the Bulldogs managing seven assists, 10 thefts and four blocks.

Saginaw Valley State improved to 6-18 overall and 4-15 in the GLIAC with the victory while FSU also dropped to 6-18 overall and 5-14 in league action.

Ferris remains tied with Wayne State for ninth place in the GLIAC standings after tonight's games. Both teams trail Northwood by two games with three left to play for the eighth position in the standings. The top eight teams at the end of the regular-season advance to the GLIAC Tournament.

The Bulldogs will play their final road contest of the regular-season on Saturday (Feb. 20) as they travel to Lake Superior State for a 1 p.m. (EST) GLIAC contest against the Lakers at Bud Cooper Gymnasium in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.

Following Saturday's game, FSU will then host Northwood (Feb. 25) and Wayne State (Feb. 27) in its final two regular-season contests next week at Jim Wink Arena in Big Rapids.