UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – The Saginaw Valley State University men's basketball team trailed nearly the entire way against Northern Michigan University but rallied for a critical Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference win Thursday at the James E. O'Neill Jr. Arena.

The Cardinals tied the game with 1:30 to play for the first time since the opening tip, as Tre Garrett stole the ball in the backcourt and laid it in. SVSU took its first lead of the game on a 3-pointer by Darnell Hoskins Jr. with 51 seconds left. NMU answered right back to tie the game on a deep 3-pointer from Nick Wagner.

The Cardinals went back in front after Delano Smith drew a foul with 18 seconds remaining and hit a pair of free throws. NMU's last-second 3-pointer missed the mark and the Cardinals closed out the 87-85 win.

The victory moves SVSU to 10-5 overall and 4-3 in the GLIAC.

How it Happened:

• NMU went on an 11-2 run midway through the first half to build a 28-16 lead.
• Jack Rusch drilled a 3-pointer to extend the NMU lead to 18 points with five to play in the first half.
• The Cardinals heated up from deep late in the first half, including a 3-pointer from James Toohey with under a minute to play before the break to cut the deficit to 45-37.
• The Cardinals kept chipping away in the second half, but NMU held the lead until Tre Garrett's steal and layup with 90 seconds to play.
• After a block from Tyler Witz, SVSU got the ball back and Darnell Hoskins Jr. put the Cardinals up for the first time in the contest with a 3-pointer with 51 seconds to play.
• After the Wildcats tied the game on a deep 3-pointer from Nick Wagner, Delano Smith earned a foul call on NMU to get to the line where he hit the game-winning free throws.

Inside the Box Score:

• Darnell Hoskins Jr. finished with 23 points, including three 3-pointers.
• Delano Smith recorded23 points on 9-of-16 shooting.
• James Toohey added 17 points, including three 3-pointers.
• The Cardinals were nearly perfect at the line shooting 21-of-22. SVSU was 30-of-62 from the field and 6-of-20 from deep.
• John Kerr and Carson Smith each scored 17 points to lead the Wildcats.
• NMU was 17-of-36 from deep, including 10 makes in the first half.
• The Wildcats won the rebounding battle 35-31.

Up Next:

The Cardinals remain home to host Michigan Tech at 1 pm Saturday at the O'Neill Arena on Alumni Weekend.

Postgame Recap with SVSU Assistant Coach Tommy Twardecki Below: