University Center, Mich. – After trailing 47-37 heading into the fourth quarter, the Purdue Northwest women's basketball team got a jumper from senior Ellie Michalski (Mukwonago, Wis./Mukwonago) to trim the deficit to two points, 50-48, with just under six minutes left to play in regulation.  However, a late surge by Saginaw Valley State University (Mich.) allowed them to hang on for the 60-52 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) victory Thursday evening at O'Neill Arena in University Center, Mich. 

Michalski had a very solid performance for the Pride finishing with a game-high tying 14 points and game-best 15 rebounds.  Senior Jessica Kiser (Noblesville, Ind./Noblesville) scored nine points for PNW, while sophomore Shae Rhonehouse (Fremont, Ind./Fremont) and freshman Lanie Allen (East Noble, Ind./East Noble) each added eight points.  Shooting was an issue for Purdue Northwest throughout the game with the visitors connecting on just 30 percent (16-for-53) of its shot attempts from the field.

After trailing early in the first quarter, sophomore Bayley Goodman (Fowler, Ind./Benton Central) hit a three-pointer with 4:20 left in the period to tie the game at 7-7.  Allen hit a trey in the final seconds of the frame to give PNW a 15-13 edge at the start of the second quarter.  The second quarter was a tough one for the Pride as the Cardinals outscored them 20-8 to take a 33-23 lead into halftime.    

Late in the third quarter, Purdue Northwest went on a 7-0 run capped by a three-pointer by Kiser to make it a three-point game, 38-35.  SVSU responded with a 9-2 surge over the final two minutes of the period to take its 10-point lead into the fourth quarter.  After the Cardinals hit a three to open the period, Rhonehouse and Michalski led a 11-0 run that brought the Pride to within a bucket, 50-48, with 5:51 left to play.  Unfortunately for PNW, the offense stalled with no points over the next five minutes, which helped SVSU to go up, 60-48.  

Purdue Northwest (2-9 overall/1-5 GLIAC) continues conference play on Saturday, January 6, hosting Northwood University (Mich.).  The GLIAC match-up is scheduled for a 1 p.m. CT start at H.D. Kesling Gymnasium at the James B. Dworkin Student Services & Activities Complex in Westville, Ind.