UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. — Despite shooting 53% from the field and owning a 48-34 edge in points in the paint, Parkside couldn't overcome Saginaw Valley State's bench production and second-chance offense in an 85-77 setback Thursday night at James E. O'Neill Jr. Arena. The Rangers dropped their third straight overall and fifth straight in GLIAC play, moving to 9-10 overall and 3-8 in conference action, while the Cardinals improved to 10-9 overall and 4-7 in the league.

Paxton Warden powered Parkside with 27 points on 10-for-13 shooting and 2-for-4 from three, adding two assists. Fawaz Surakat posted 10 points and a career-tying 10 rebounds to go with three steals and a block, while Raphael Nagau-Trouart added 12 points on 6-for-8 shooting. Luka Mateski finished with 10 points, and Braden McGlothlin contributed six points, six rebounds and four steals.

Saginaw Valley won the game at the margins — 36-20 in bench points and 17-3 in second-chance points — fueled by 12 offensive rebounds as part of a 37-25 rebounding advantage. The Cardinals also lived at the line, going 24-for-28 (86%) at the stripe compared to Parkside's 14-for-23 (61%), and shot 44% from three (7-for-16) to Parkside's 36% (5-for-14).

The Rangers came out sharp and established early control behind Warden, opening on a 10-5 run and later pushing the margin to 34-24 with 3:56 left in the first half. But Saginaw Valley responded with its pace and pressure, turning the final minutes of the half into a momentum swing. After Parkside led 39-36 late, the Cardinals closed the half with a layup and a free throw to take a 42-39 lead into the break.

Parkside answered immediately to start the second half, tying the game at 42 on Josiah Palmer's 3-pointer just 17 seconds in, and briefly reclaimed the lead at 46-45 on Warden's fast-break dunk with 17:28 remaining. The game stayed tight through multiple lead changes, but Saginaw Valley's depth and extra possessions began to show. Xavier Thomas, who scored 28 points off the bench on 9-for-15 shooting with three triples and a perfect 7-for-7 night at the line, helped spark a key stretch that pushed the Cardinals in front 66-60 with 8:26 to play.

Parkside's best surge came midway through the final six minutes. The Rangers used interior finishes and free throws to flip the game back in their favor, taking a 73-68 lead on Mateski's jumper with 5:12 left. But the Cardinals answered with timely scoring and the decisive work on the offensive glass. After Saginaw Valley went back in front 76-75 at the line with 2:05 remaining, Parkside tied it at 77 on Warden free throws with 1:48 to go. From there, the Cardinals closed the game on an 8-0 run, sealing it with late free throws and a dunk in the final 30 seconds.

Saginaw Valley was led by Thomas' 28, while Kevonne Taylor added 13 points and six rebounds and Dontez Scott II and Marquese Josephs scored 12 apiece. Triston Nichols anchored the glass with 10 rebounds.

Parkside will continue its road swing Saturday, traveling to Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., to face Lake Superior State at 2 p.m. CT.

To keep up with the Rangers, be sure to visit parksiderangers.com/coverage.