SAGINAW VALLEY STATE 77, RANGERS 72

Although the Rangers had the lead most of the game, the Saginaw Valley State Cardinals were able to come out on top in this conference match up. Junior Carolina Rahkonen led with team-high 20 points.

FIRST HALF

Parkside started the game with a 7-0 lead, holding the Cardinals from scoring until 6:24, followed almost immediately by a Rangers 10-0 run. As the first quarter ended, Parkside created a hefty cushion between themselves and SVSU with a score of 26-12. The Cardinals ended the first quarter with a 3-point basket which led into a 15-0 run to start the second quarter, which was stopped by a pair of free throws from redshirt-senior Blair Arthur. The teams went back-and-forth until halftime with a score of 36-31.

SECOND HALF

After the half, both teams went even until 5:50 of the third quarter when SVSU was able to take the lead away from Parkside with a score of 42-40. The Rangers finished out the quarter only a few points behind the Cardinals at 51-48. SVSU started out the final quarter with a 5-0 run before Parkside was able to take the lead for a little more than a minute at 4:37 making the score 58-56. The Cardinals quickly tied the game going on a 7-0 run which ended by a layup by redshirt-senior Asiah Lawson. The Rangers went neck and neck until the concluding seconds of the game until two pairs of free throws put the Cardinals on top with a final score of 77-72.

STATWORTHY

Rahkonen led the Rangers with 20 points and five rebounds followed by Arthur with 13 points. Senior Georgie Eishold had five rebounds in the game and redshirt-junior Taylor Stephen finished the game with five assists.

WHAT'S NEXT

The Rangers return to DeSimone Gymnasium this upcoming Thursday, Jan. 10 to face last year national runner-up Ashland at 5:30. This is Parkside's Military Appreciation night where all active members of the military and veterans will receive free admission. Parkside will finish out the weekend with a game against Wayne State on Jan. 12 at 1 p.m.