SVSU’s women’s basketball team won both of their games over the weekend. They pushed their winning streak to three games after defeating GLIAC North leading Ferris State 82-68 and Lake Superior State 82-60.
Head coach Jenny Pruett said she believes the team is hitting its stride.
“I think we have our rhythm down and are playing great with each other,” she said. “One of our goals is to have high assist games and have fun playing with each other, and I’m excited that this team has taken that goal to heart.”
SVSU’s 21 assists for the Feb. 6 game shows that the team is working to find the open player more often, which has led to an increase in their team shooting percentage.
Sophomore guards Maddie Barrie and Maddie Maloney were able to combine for seven of the team’s assists. They also contributed a combined 26 points.
Freshman guard Kaitlyn Zarycki was the catalyst for SVSU’s success Feb. 6, as she was able to score 25 points to go along with her six rebounds and four assists.
Freshman forward Tori DePerry was also a big part of the victory. She was able to score 14 points and pull in nine rebounds, which was the most for either team.
Zarycki and DePerry were also key players in SVSU’s win against Lake State on Feb. 8. They combined for 40 of the team’s 82 points along with 13 rebounds and four assists.
Barrie and Maloney were able to add in another 24 points against the Lakers.
Sophomore center Kyndall Spires scored seven points and grabbed a rebound off the bench. Pruett said she was happy with the Cardinal practices this week and saw that carry over to success on the court.
“We had very good practices leading up to this weekend,” Pruett said. “We were all on the same page, the energy in the gym was amazing all week and we were ready to get a sweep this weekend.”
The three-game win streak for the Cardinals is their longest of the season, and it came right before the season turns to the GLIAC playoffs, which the top eight GLIAC teams qualify for.
As the season has progressed, Pruett said she has seen her team go stronger from their earlier struggles.
“The beginning of our season was tough, as we lost so many close games, but we learn through every loss,” Pruett said. “We are learning how to play with each other despite losses due to injury. I think we are in a good spot, and that it what every coach wants – to play your best basketball in February.”
After this weekend’s wins, SVSU moved into third place in the GLIAC South with an overall record of 12-11 and a GLIAC record of 7-8, which puts them at sixth in the conference.
The team sits two games above ninth seeded Northwood with five games remaining in the regular season.
SVSU’s next game is at Grand Valley on Feb. 13 before they return home to face Davenport on Feb. 15.
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