MARQUETTE -- The Cardinal Men's Basketball squad held on for a tough 64-58 road victory on Saturday (Dec. 7) afternoon at Northern Michigan University. After holding a seven point halftime lead, SVSU overcame a late Wildcat push and grinded-out the six point victory.
Saginaw Valley hold solid throughout the opening 20 minutes, building a lead as high as nine points four different times. The fourth time was when Myles Belyeu hit a three-pointer with 37 seconds showing on the clock that made the score 35-26.
NMU responded with a quick layup, trimming the deficit to seven points at 35-38, which is where it remained heading into the halftime break.
Belyeu had a big first half, connecting on 7-of-10 shots and three shots from beyond the arc for 18 points. He added four first half rebounds. SVSU shot 50.0% (13-26) from the floor and committed just a single turnover.
The Wildcats fought their way back and cut the Cardinal lead down to a single point a few different times. The third time came when NU's Sam Taylor made a layup with 1:20 to play in the contest that made the score 59-58.
That score held true until there were just 25 ticks left when Belyeu hit a clutch jumper to put the lead at three points (61-58).
Northern Michigan had a chance to tie the game with a few seconds left but their long attempt fell no-good and Darnell Hoskins Jr. grabbed the rebound. He would be fouled and had three free throw attempts, drilling all of them to seal the 64-58 victory.
Inside the Boxscore
- Belyeu was named the Meijer "Player of the Game" after knocking-in a game and season-high 28 points. He added five rebounds with an assist and steal as well.
- Hoskins added a dozen points with five boards for the Cards.
- Fred John Jr. grabbed a game-high six rebounds and added nine points for the visitors.
Up Next...
The Cardinals are off until Sunday, Dec. 15 when they travel to play at Northwood University. Tip-off for that matchup will be at 6:00 p.m. at NU's Riepma Arena.
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