Bulldogs Battle Back, Fall At the Buzzer In Heart-Breaker to Wayne State

Postgame Interview & Highlights 

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University women's basketball team erased a late nine-point deficit, but missed a pair of chances in the final 7.9 seconds, falling 64-63 at home to the Wayne State Warriors on Thursday (Feb. 9) in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) play inside Jim Wink Arena.

Ferris State junior forward DeShonna Day led the way with 16 points, including a bucket to make it a one-point game in the final 10 seconds of the ball game. Ferris State senior center Chloe Idoni added 14 points while freshman guard Elle Irwin notched 13 for the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs trailed by one point at halftime, but were outscored by nine points in the third quarter, taking a 10-point hole into the fourth quarter. Ferris State all but erased the deficit, had it stretched back to nine points against them, then chipped away in the final three minutes.

Ferris State got a key defensive stop and Day hit a lay up to make it 64-63 in the final seconds. The Warriors fumbled the ball away on the ensuing inbound pass and Bulldog Head Coach Kurt Westendorp made a key timeout call with 7.9 on the clock.

A flurry of offensive boards and near misses under the basket drained the clock and the Warriors picked up the victory.

Ferris State shot the ball 36.1 percent from the field in the game while the Warriors hit 45.3 percent of their shots. Both teams struggled from beyond the arc, making 10 threes on under 25 percent shooting combined.

The Bulldogs were narrowly out-rebounded 37-32, but hit 13 free throws to Wayne State's 12 on the night.

Ferris State got six assists out of senior guard Mallory McCartney, with Idoni adding five in the game. On the glass, Idoni and freshman forward Kenzie Bowers each had six rebounds. Idoni added three blocked shots to lead all players in the game while junior forward Amaka Unobagha had two. 

The Warriors got a big night from Shea Tripp, who scored 27 of Wayne State's 64 points. Becca Fugate was the only other Warrior in double figures with 13 points. Fugate had a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds on the night. 

Ferris State will host the Saginaw Valley State Cardinals on Saturday (Feb. 11) inside Jim Wink Arena at 1 p.m. (ET) for the Annual Red Out Game. All fans are asked to wear red as the Ferris State Sports Communications program raises funds and awareness for women's heart health. Saturday's game will also mark FSU's final regular-season home contest.