UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – The Saginaw Valley State University men's basketball team shut down Michigan Tech in a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference matchup Saturday at the James E. O'Neill Jr. Arena.

The Cardinals took over midway through the first half and held off a run by the Huskies to start the second half to earn a 66-49 win. The victory pushes SVSU to 11-5 overall and 5-3 in the GLIAC.

Note: SVSU honored returning men's basketball alumni and the family of Chris Jacobi with a ceremony at halftime. 

How it Happened:

• The teams started the game going back and forth until five straight points from Delano Smith gave SVSU a 26-22 lead midway through the opening half.
• An 8-0 run capped by a Tyler Witz layup pushed the SVSU lead to 11 points with 2 minutes to play in the opening half, setting up the Cardinals for a 40-30 lead at the break.
• The Huskies scored the first seven points of the second half, including a dunk by Trent Bell, to get back in it.
• Darnell Hoskins Jr. ended the MTU run with a 3-pointer to put the Cardinals back up six.
• Both teams went cold midway through the second half, but Hoskins Jr. got SVSU going again with another 3-pointer to give the Cardinals a 54-43 lead with 5 mins to play.
• Back-to-back layups from Alijah Harrison and Hoskins Jr. put the game away late for the Cardinals.

Inside the Box Score:

• The Cardinals were led by reigning GLIAC Player of the Week Darnell Hoskins Jr. with 21 points, including four 3-pointers. He added three steals.
• Delano Smith finished with 14 points and eight rebounds.
• Tyler Witz added a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
• The Cardinals shot 22-of-49 from the field, 9-of-19 from deep, and 13-of-17 from the free-throw line.
• SVSU won the battle on the boards 38-30.
• Trent Bell led the Huskies with 21 points and 10 rebounds, hitting five 3-pointers.

Up Next:

The Cardinals hit the road for two GLIAC games next week starting against Purdue Northwest at 8 pm Thursday in Hammond, Ind.

Postgame interview with men's basketball assistant coach Tommy Twardecki below: