SVSU
Cardinal Men's Basketball
1999-2000 News

Cardinals Pull Out Overtime Win

UNIVERSITY CENTER – Saginaw Valley State University needed overtime to snap a three-game losing streak, nipping Lake Superior State University 74-71 in O'Neill Arena Saturday.
     Senior Greg Mallek (Merrill) split a pair of free throws with 48 seconds left in the extra period , snapping a 71-71 tie that stood up. Senior Rashard Carson (Toledo, OH/Rogers) iced the game with a pair of free throws with seven seconds left.
     The 6-0 Carson finished with a career-high 28 points and shared team-high rebounding honors with 7. Junior Vernon Malone (Kankakee, IL) chipped in 26 points, one shy of his career-high, while Mallek added nine points.
     "We needed that one," said Coach Dean Lockwood, whose squad improved to 11-13 overall and 5-12 in the GLIAC North Division.
     "We're fighting for a .500 season and in our minds there's a big difference in a 12-14 record and 13-13," he added, noting the Cards have two home games remaining.
     SVSU trailed 33-26 at halftime and by as many as 11 points, 54-43 with 10:50 left in the second half. Malone nailed two free throws with 31 seconds left in the second half to tie the game at 69-69 and force the extra period.
     Sophomore Terrence Wright (Saginaw/Buena Vista), SVSU's leading scorer, scored his only basket of the game to start the overtime scoring.
     SVSU had a big advantage at the free throw line, making 18 of 22, while the Lakers hit only 5 of 15.
     Lake Superior had four players score in double figures, led by Ryan Hiller with 17 points. Mike Hammill scored only 10 points and had five rebounds after lighting up the Cards for 32 points and 15 rebounds in the first meeting.
     The Lakers dropped to 12-15 overall and 4-13 in the GLIAC North.
     SVSU closes the season with home games Thursday against Grand Valley State University and Saturday against Ferris State University.