UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – Junior Cassidy Arni poured in a season-high 24 points and the Parkside women's basketball team used a decisive third quarter to earn its second straight win, pulling away for a 75-61 victory over Saginaw Valley State on Thursday night at James E. O'Neill Jr. Arena.

Parkside (10-9, 5-6 GLIAC) placed three players in double figures and won the game with pressure defense and interior production, forcing 20 Cardinal turnovers and converting them into 21 points. The Rangers also controlled the paint, outscoring SVSU 40-30 inside while winning the rebounding battle 32-26.

Arni finished 8-for-11 from the field and 7-for-9 at the line to go with five rebounds. Tonight was the fourth time Lillie Petersen added 16 points and a team-high eight rebounds, while coming up with four steals. Peighton Nelson rounded out the double-figure scorers with 11 points, six rebounds and three assists, going 7-for-12 at the free-throw line as Parkside repeatedly attacked the rim in the second half.

The opening quarter was a back-and-forth feel from the jump, with Parkside shooting 6-for-11 in the first 10 minutes to take a 16-15 edge after one. Saginaw Valley answered in the second, shooting 8-for-14 in the period and briefly grabbing momentum with a pair of early threes, but Parkside kept pace and went into the break tied 33-33.

The Rangers created separation coming out of halftime. Parkside held SVSU to 3-for-9 shooting in the third quarter and kept the Cardinals scoreless from three in the period, turning stops into transition chances and building a 53-45 lead heading to the fourth.

Saginaw Valley tried to make one last push in the final frame, but Parkside steadied itself with timely finishes and free throws. The Rangers attempted 16 free throws in the fourth quarter alone (12 made) and closed the night 19-for-28 at the stripe to protect the lead down the stretch.

Parkside shot 50% from the floor (26-for-52) and finished with 16 assists on 26 made baskets, while also getting key contributions around the margins from Lexi Bugajski (nine points on 4-for-6 shooting, plus a block), Alli Hampel (seven points, four rebounds) and Katie Hamill (six rebounds, two assists) as the Rangers won their second straight game while shooting 50% or better.

For Saginaw Valley (4-15, 2-9 GLIAC), Lydia Meredith led the way with 17 points and eight rebounds, while Lauren Borsenik added 15 points on a perfect 6-for-6 shooting night. The Cardinals hit five threes in the first half but went 0-for-9 from deep in the second half.

Parkside will head north for its next GLIAC road test, traveling to Sault Ste. Marie to face Lake Superior State at noon CT on Saturday, Jan. 31.

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