KENOSHA, Wis. – Parkside continued its climb back up the GLIAC standings Saturday afternoon, using its best perimeter shooting performance of the season to secure an 87-81 victory over Saginaw Valley State inside De Simone Arena.
The Rangers earned their second straight conference win and improved to 8-5 overall and 3-3 in GLIAC play, while the Cardinals dropped to 9-5 overall and also sit at 3-3 in league action. Parkside knocked down a season-high 12 three-pointers and shot 46% from beyond the arc, overcoming a strong interior effort from Saginaw Valley to remain unbeaten at home in GLIAC play this season.
Parkside set the tone early with pace and spacing, jumping out to a fast start behind its ball movement and perimeter efficiency. The Rangers shot over 50% from the field in the opening half and connected on seven three-pointers before the break, building a 44-31 halftime advantage.
Luka Mateski led the charge with 15 first-half points, scoring from all three levels and consistently drawing fouls in transition and early offense.
The Rangers' offensive rhythm was fueled by clean execution, as Parkside assisted on the majority of its first-half field goals and consistently stretched the Cardinals' defense with drive-and-kick action.
Paxton Warden and
Josiah Palmer combined for six three-pointers in the opening 20 minutes, while
Raphael Nagau-Trouart provided a steady interior presence that helped Parkside control the glass early.
Saginaw Valley responded after halftime by increasing its physicality and attacking the paint. The Cardinals shot 59% from the field in the second half and repeatedly got downhill, finishing with 50 points in the paint for the game. SVSU used multiple second-half runs to trim the deficit, cutting Parkside's lead to single digits on several occasions and briefly bringing the margin within five midway through the period.
Despite the pressure, Parkside consistently answered. Each Cardinal run was met with timely shooting, including back-to-back three-pointers that restored breathing room late in the second half. The Rangers also leaned on their poise at the free-throw line, finishing 23-for-27 at the stripe and going 18-for-21 in the second half alone to close out the game.
Mateski finished with a game-high 24 points on 7-of-14 shooting, adding two three-pointers and a perfect 8-for-8 performance from the free-throw line. It marked his fifth 20-point outing of the season and continued a stretch in which he has consistently paced the Rangers offensively.
Warden added 19 points on four made threes and went 7-for-8 at the line, while Palmer contributed 18 points, four three-pointers, and a team-high five assists. The trio combined for 61 points and accounted for 10 of Parkside's 12 made threes.
Nagau-Trouart turned in his most efficient performance as a Ranger, scoring 10 points on 5-of-6 shooting for his first career double-figure game. He also added six rebounds as Parkside outrebounded the GLIAC's top rebounding team, 33-29.
Fawaz Surakat anchored the interior with nine points, a team-high eight rebounds, and three blocks, helping limit second-chance opportunities late.
Saginaw Valley was led by Xavier Thomas with 17 points, while Dontez Scott II added 16. Aidan Duran chipped in 11 points off the bench, and Triston Nichols finished with 10 as the Cardinals received 26 points from their bench. SVSU also held advantages in points in the paint and second-chance scoring but was unable to overcome Parkside's shooting efficiency and free-throw execution.
Parkside will look to carry the momentum into a two-game GLIAC road swing, beginning Thursday, Jan. 15, at Wayne State in Detroit. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT.
To keep up with the Rangers, be sure to visit
parksiderangers.com/coverage.
