Saginaw Valley State University women’s basketball team fell to 19th ranked Michigan Tech on Saturday, 69-61.

The Lady Cardinals shooting was strong and consistent throughout the game, but turnovers proved to be devastating.

Freshman Jessica Alexander got things going for the team with the first four points, giving Saginaw Valley the early lead over the Huskies. Michigan Tech battled back quickly to take a six-point lead, before the Cardinals would add eight unanswered points to the board for the Cardinals final lead of the half at 16-14 with eleven minutes to play in the half.

Michigan Tech battled back quickly to regain the lead and all of the momentum, scoring 10 of the final 14 points of the half for a 35-28 lead. Alexander and sophomore Emily Wendling led the Lady Cardinals with eight points apiece in the half, with sophomore Abby Schlicher adding six of her own.

Saginaw Valley came out of the gates strong in the second half with Schlicher knocking down two triples to pull within three of the lead. Another three by junior Alex Green the first lead of the half. Green would add three more for SVSU’s largest lead of the game at 46-43 with just over twelve minutes to play.

After swapping baskets, the Huskies nailed ten straight points to give them a 55-48, a lead that they would not give up for the remainder of the game. Michigan Tech would push the lead to nine with two minutes to play, holding on for the victory.

Wendling led the team with 18 points and seven rebounds, making six of eight shots. Schlicher hit two three pointers to add to her career-high 14 points, while adding four rebounds. Green added 13 points herself, her second consecutive game hitting double digits in points.

Turnovers proved to be too costly for the Cardinals, who had 26 of them. Michigan Tech was able to capitalize and score 34 points on the turnovers.

SVSU will return to action against Grand Valley at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 29.