Women's Basketball Defeats Saginaw Valley State 57-44

MIDLAND, MICH. – The Northwood University women's basketball team defeated the Saginaw Valley State Cardinals 57-44 Saturday afternoon (February 7).

With the win the Timberwolves improve to 13-9 on the year, 9-7 in the GLIAC. The Cardinals fall to 7-15 overall, 2-14 in the GLIAC.

NU started strong scoring the first 10 points of the game before taking a 24-11 advantage at the 12:05 mark. The Timberwolves led by as many 16 in the opening period before taking a 36-22 lead at halftime. Northwood finished the half shooting 48.3 percent (14-29) while holding Saginaw Valley State to 6-22 shooting for 27.3 percent. NU's defense was instrumental, causing nine turnovers and not allowing a single three-pointer. The Timberwolves also out-rebounded the Cardinals 21-12.

Saginaw Valley State fought back in the opening minutes of the second half, holding the Timberwolves scoreless for nearly five minutes and cutting the lead down to eight (36-28). Northwood didn't back down and extended to a 42-28 advantage going into the first media timeout at 13:38. The Cardinals would cut the lead down to seven throughout the half but would get no closer.

Interior play was the key to the contest, as Northwood out-scored Saginaw Valley State 26-16 in the paint. Finishing at 41.2 percent from the floor (21-51), NU registered 16 points off 19 SVSU turnovers. The Timberwolves finished with a rebounding advantage (36-33) as well.

Three Northwood player finished in double-figures as Sarah Susan (Grand Rapids, Mich. / Byron Center) led all scorers with 16 points. Gabrielle Rivette (Fenton, Mich.) and Maddy Seeley (Alma, Mich.) each added 10, as Rivette also finished with five assists and four rebounds. Kaitlin Susan (Grand Rapids, Mich. / Byron Center) registered a game-high 12 rebounds and two blocks. She is now the all-time leading shot-blocker at Northwood with 119 career blocks. Susan passed Savannah Stedman who finished her career with 117.

The Timberwolves will be back home on Thursday (February 12) against Ferris State. The women will tip off at 6 p.m. CLICK HERE for all women's basketball promotions as Thursday is Think Pink Day, as well as Faculty Appreciation Day.