Cardinals Drop Exhibition Opener to Cincinnati, 86-58

CINCINNATI, Ohio - The Saginaw Valley State Univeristy men's basketball opened its 2009 season with an exhibition loss to the University of Cincinnati today (Nov. 5), 86-58. 

The Cardinals struggled to find an offensive flow in the first half as they fell down by as many as 20 points midway through the half, but battled back to cut the deficit down to 14 points at the half.  Saginaw Valley was led by Avery Stephenson's (Romulus, Mich. / Romulus HS) 13 points and Keithan Jackson's (Grand Rapids, Mich./Godwin Heights HS) seven rebounds in the first half.

SVSU returned from the lockerroom and continued to chip away at the Bearcat lead early in the second half, cutting the score to 46-40 at the 12 minute mark.  Cinicinnati would respond to push the lead back to double digits with a 17-7 run to and stop any thoughts of an upset.  Stephenson led all scorers with 21 points and Jackson added a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.  Greg Foster (Indianapolis, Ind. / TC Howe) added 8 points and Chris Webb (Saginaw, Mich. / Arthur Hill HS) chipped in with six points for the Cardinals. 

Saginaw Valley will return to the hardwood on Sunday (Nov. 8) when they tangle with Miami University in Oxford, Ohio for a 3:00 pm tip.