UNIVERSITY CENTER – Saginaw Valley State University turned up the defensive intensity and turned the game around in an 86-69 victory over Siena Heights University Tuesday in its home opener in O'Neill Arena.
     After scoring just six points in the 10:12 of the first half to fall behind 39-31 at halftime, the Cardinals turned the tables on the Saints.
     "It was a tale of two halves," said Cardinal Coach Dean Lockwood. "We had that scoring drought in the first half and it magnified our defensive woes and Siena Heights pounced on us."
     The cure for the SVSU's offensive woes was 20 second-half Saint turnovers, many that led directly to Cardinal layups. The Cardinals shot 52.5 percent from the floor in the second half.
     They quickly tied the game at 41-41, but SHU was able to regain a 51-50 lead with 11:18 left in the game.
     Saginaw Valley State reeled off 17 straight points as the Saints coughed up seven turnovers in the next four minutes.
     "The guys came out much more determined in their mindset in the second half," said Lockwood. "I can't explain it – if I could I'd be on an island someplace."
     Previously unbeaten and ranked No. 10 in the NAIA preseason poll, SHU shot only 24.3 percent from the floor in the second half.
     Sophomore Terrence Wright (Saginaw/Buena Vista) led SVSU with 18 points, including 17 in the second half. Junior transfer Sean Stewart (Tyler, TX/John Tyler) scored 12 of his 15 points in the second half, picking off eight steals in the game.
     Senior center Greg Mallek (Merrill) was the only other Cardinal in double figures, canning 11 points and clearing a game-high 11 rebounds.
     The Cardinals played without senior captain Brian Vaughn (Saginaw/Buena Vista), who is out indefinitely with a knee injury.
     "One thing this did for us was it showed us we're not about one player," said Lockwood. "Are we a different team with out Brian? Yes, but it just means we need seven or eight guys to step up and play just a little bit better."
     Siena Heights was led by George King, who scored 17 points off the bench. Matt Baaki scored 13 points and Mike Brown added 10.
     The Cardinals improved to 2-1 with their second straight win, while SHU dropped to 9-1.
     SVSU continues its three-game home stand and opens the GLIAC season next week by hosting Hillsdale College on Thursday and the University of Findlay on Saturday.

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