January 13, 2005
Men’s Basketball
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CARDS PULL OUT BIG OVERTIME WIN OVER ASHLAND

UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. - In a big game for both teams on Thursday night, Saginaw Valley State and Ashland battled into overtime before SVSU claimed an 84-77 win at the James E. O'Neill Jr. Arena. The Cards defense in the second half and overtime was a big factor. Ashland shot 34.2 percent in the second half and were just 1-of-9 in overtime. Another big factor proved to be free throw shooting as SVSU was a steady 19-of-23 (.826) from the charity stripe and the Eagles were 13-of-18 (.722). Ashland kept themselves alive on the offensive glass controlling 22 rebounds and outrebounding SVSU, 50-43, for the game.
     Senior forward Kenny Nether (Southfield, Mich./Canton) stepped up big in the second half scoring all of his team-high 18 points. Nether also grabbed six boards and was 7-of-13 from the floor. Senior forward Anthony Parker (Muskegon, Mich./Mona Shores) scored 16 points and dished out four assists. Sophomore guard Sydney McDaniel (Indianapolis, Ind./Pike) played 38 minutes and scored 13 points. Senior forward David Williams (Laingsburg, Mich.) scored 10 points off the bench and dished out three assists in 23 minutes.
     The Cards trailed entering the second half and eventually tied the game at 48-48 at the 12:23 mark. SVSU took their first lead of the second half at 56-55 with 6:27 remaining after a intentional foul on Alex Jones of the Eagles. That play shifted the momentum as SVSU built a 65-57 lead with 4:43 left. Ashland was far from out of it late as Justin Brown hit a runner in the lane with 13 seconds left to tie the game at 71-71 and send the game into overtime.
     SVSU never trailed in the extra session as the big play came on a three-point play by senior guard Rojelio Grady (Dearborn, Mich./Fordson) giving SVSU a 78-75 lead with 1:59 left. After a defensive stop, McDaniel canned a baseline jumper to give SVSU a 80-75 lead with 1:35 left. SVSU (8-8, 3-4 GLIAC) will host #7 Findlay on Saturday at 3:00 pm.
  
Game Stats

Contact: Ryan Thompson (989) 964-4053