UNIVERSITY CENTER – A short-handed Saginaw Valley State University men's basketball team gave a valiant effort and almost pulled off an incredible come-back, but fell short in an 85-78 loss to the University of Findlay in O'Neill Arena Saturday.
     With three senior starters nursing injuries, the Cardinal offense struggled in the first half. After taking an early 10-2 lead they watched the Oilers build a 20-point lead, 37-17. SVSU, which shot only 25 percent in the half, trimmed the margin to 37-20 at halftime.
     Seniors Brian Vaughn (Saginaw/Buena Vista) and Rashard Carson (Toledo, OH/Rogers) did not dress due to knee injuries, and senior Josh Ode (Freeland) played only seven minutes, all in the first half.
     Saginaw Valley opened the second half with a flurry, and pulled within six points, 57-51, with 11:20 left. But second-year coach Dean Lockwood got only two minutes of duty from his bench in the second half and the Cards wore down.
     Findlay led 70-59 with 4:50 left, but SVSU made a final run. A three-pointer by Sean Stewart (Tyler, TX/John Tyler) cut the lead to 72-70 with 1:50 left.
     On consecutive possessions with the shot clock running out, Ryan Maag hit a jumper and a long three-pointer to put the Oilers back in control. Forced to foul to stop the clock in the closing seconds, SVSU sent the visitors to the free throw line, where they sank their final eight attempts.
     Findlay got 26 points each from Maag and Kyle Hunt, who was held to just two points in the final 13 minutes. Sophomore Terrence Wright (Saginaw/Buena Vista) led the Cardinals with 24 points, while junior Vernon Malone (Kankakee, IL) added 18 and senior Jeff Harris (South Bend, IN/St. Joseph's) scored a season-high 15. Senior Greg Mallek (Merrill) scored 11 points and cleared 12 rebounds.
     The Cardinals shot 47.6 percent from the floor in the second half for a 37.2 percent game total, while the Oilers canned 46.7 percent. SVSU had a 46-39 rebounding edge.
     SVSU dropped its second straight game to fall to 2-3 overall and 0-2 in the GLIAC North Division. Findlay improved to 3-1 overall and leads the South Division with a 3-0 mark.
     The Cardinals travel to Erie, Pa. next weekend for games at Gannon University and Mercyhurst College on Thursday and Saturday.

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