Seventh-Ranked Bulldogs Suffer First Setback In Hard-Fought Regional Tilt

Postgame Interview & Highlights 

Big Rapids, Mich. - The nationally seventh-ranked Ferris State University men's basketball squad battled to the finish, but suffered its first setback of the season in a tightly-contested regional battle versus McKendree by a 71-68 score inside Jim Wink Arena.

The Bulldogs and the Bearcats went back and forth the entire night with neither team leading by more than five points until the final two minutes of the tilt.

McKendree, which reached the NCAA D2 Sweet Sixteen a year ago, jumped in front late and led by as many as eight points with 1:06 to go, but FSU rallied and got back within two down the stretch. The Bulldogs had a potential game-tying three from senior Ben Davidson rim away as time expired.

Ferris State, which fell to 4-1 overall this season, was led by senior Dolapo Olayinka with 14 points. Senior Jack Ammerman added 11 points and both junior Ethan Erickson and redshirt freshman Owen Hardy chipped in 10 points each.

FSU, which played without senior forward DeSean Munson, was held to 40.9% shooting overall and the Bulldogs went eight-of-25 (32%) from the three-point arc. Ferris State converted six-of-seven (85.7%) free throws.

Meanwhile, McKendree finished shooting at a 50% clip for the game, but was only four-of-19 (21.1%) from long range. The Bearcats finished 17-of-20 (85%) at the charity stripe.

The Bearcats got 20 points from Caleb Zurliene and 16 by Milos Vicentic, who was averaging 27.7 points per game coming into the contest. He was limited to six-of-14 shooting by the Bulldogs. Th visitors also got 14 points from Joey Niesman and 10 out of Carson Parker.

McKendree, which improved to 3-1 overall this season, slightly outrebounded FSU 34-33 for the night. However, the Bearcats also had 13 turnovers compared to 10 for Ferris State and FSU held a 13-4 edge in second chance scoring and a 14-8 margin in points off turnovers.

Overall, the game featured 15 lead chagnes and the score was tied 12 times.

Ferris State will be back in action on Monday, Nov. 27, when the Bulldogs visit Lewis (Ill.) for another regional tilt starting at 8 p.m. (ET) in Romeoville, Ill.