Dec. 30, 2007

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ROMEOVILLE, Ill. - Sophomore Kaci Baird recorded a career high 15 points, but Saginaw Valley State edged the Flyers 64-63 on a 3-pointer by Kara Kinzer in the final seconds in a non-conference game at Neil Carey Arena.

After Kinzer's game winning shot the Flyers had one last chance to pull out the win, but as the Flyers rushed up the court junior Kelly Dianis (Hinsdale, Ill./Hinsdale Central)' pass was too high for freshman Jenny Turpel causing a mad scramble for the loose ball. Eventually a jump ball was called and the Cardinals gained possession.

The Cardinals jumped out to an early 6-0 lead but the Flyers quickly responded, taking their first lead of the game on a 3-pointer by Dianis at 17:06 just seconds after she recorded a steal. The rest of the first half would be a back-and-forth affair with the Flyers taking their largest lead of the game at nine points on a jumper by freshman Carol Kruckman, assisted by freshman Amy Smith with 4:21 remaining. But Saginaw Valley State's LaTille Ross scored the final five points of the half to bring the Cardinals within four at 38-34 at the break.

Lewis led the majority of the second half but every time the Flyers tried to put the game away Kinzer answered right back. She connected on a trey to open the second half to cut the Flyers' lead to one, then she made another 3-pointer with 12:41 remaining to give the Cardinals their first lead of the second half. Lewis responded with a 9-2 run, thanks in part to a 3-pointer by Dianis and a layup by Smith. The Cardinals continued to chip at the lead and two steals by Brittany Burkhardt and one by Brittany Burns in the final five minutes helped set up Kinzer's game winner.

Baird added six rebounds, a block and a steal to her career high points. Turpel recorded 15 points, three rebounds, two blocks, a steal and a block in her first collegiate start. Dianis added 14 points and two assists. Junior Jenna Mooberry had nine rebounds and eight points.

For the Cardinals, Ross made 11-of-13 free throws on her way to a game-high 19 points. Kinzer added 17 points on 3-of-9 shooting from the outside. The Cardinals shot 40.4 percent from the floor. Lewis finished with a 46.3 field goal percentage. Lewis falls to 5-3 while the Cardinals improves to 6-5.

The Flyers host Great Lakes Valley Conference foe St. Joseph's on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at Neil Carey Arena.