MARQUETTE, Mich. — Darby Youngstrom tied her career high with 17 points, but the Northern Michigan women's basketball team fell to Saginaw Valley State, 70-54, Thursday night.

The Cardinals got the scoring started with a three-point jumper, but the the Wildcats answered with a 9-0 run highlighted by an Emily Schramek three pointer to build a 9-3 advantage with 6:16 to play in the opening quarter. Later in the quarter, the Cardinals put together a 6-0 run to steal the lead, 13-12, with 3:16 on the clock. The teams were deadlocked at 18 after one.

Saginaw Valley State jumped out to a four-point lead, at 22-18 to start the second quarter with 7:08 to play. Northern Michigan put four quick points on the scoreboard highlighted by a Kendall Martenet layup to tie the game at 22. With 2:31 to play in the half, Sydney Dillinger was able to intercept a Cardinal pass and find Youngstrom in transition for the fast break layup and a 29-28 lead. The Wildcats trailed, 34-33, heading into halftime.  

Saginaw Valley State opened up a nine-point, 46-37, lead to open the second half by the 6:12 mark. Following a Martenet jump shot, the Wildcats cut the lead to seven, 46-39. Northern Michigan headed into the final quarter trailing the Cardinals, 54-48.

The Cardinals started the fourth quarter with an 11-0 run to grow their lead to 65-48 with 6:43 to play. A Tess Weatherly jump shot ended the run and chipped the lead down to 15, at 65-50.  Saginaw Valley State went on to open up a 20-point lead with 3:53 remaining in the contest.

Martenet added 10 points and six rebounds.

With the loss, Northern Michigan moves to 6-11 (5-6 GLIAC) on the season. The Wildcats return to the Berry Events Center on Saturday, taking on Hillsdale at 1 p.m. Fans can grab their free tickets at Art Van Furniture and Household Appliance as part of Northern Michigan's game day host program.