Ferris State Pulls Out Overtime Win To Cap Perfect 3-0 Start At D2 Tipoff Classic

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's basketball squad capped a perfect start to the year at the D2 Tipoff Classic in Anaheim on Sunday (Nov. 3) night as FSU pulled out a 91-83 overtime victory against nationally 23rd-ranked Concordia-Irvine (Calif.).

The Bulldogs completed the perfect 3-0 start in California by outscoring the Eagles 19-11 in overtime to earn the triumph.

FSU took a 35-24 halftime advantage and led 55-40 at one stage in the second half before Concordia-Irvine rallied late to force the extra session in the first-ever matchup between the two programs.

Junior guard Walt Kelser scored a Bulldog season-high 33 points and pulled down nine rebounds with four assists in 31 minutes of work. He finished 12-of-15 at the free throw line in the win.

Along with Kelser, junior wing Jaylin McFadden totaled 12 points in his third consecutive double-figure scoring effort to open the year while senior guard D'angelo Hughes totaled 11 points and senior center Cole Walker notched nine points with seven rebounds. Sophomore Mason Pline added nine points and eight boards off the bench.

The Bulldogs finished shooting at a 38% clip overall and were eight-of-23 (34.8%) from three-point range, but converted 23-of-28 (82.1%) free throws overall and owned a 54-52 rebounding edge. Both teams had 16 turnovers.

Concordia-Irvine shot only 36.9% from the floor and went nine-of-35 (25.7%) from long range with a 12-of-20 (60%) showing at the line. Four players reached double-digits for the Eagles with Jalen Sanders scoring a team-best 21 points.

The Bulldogs will return home to begin a 10-game homestand inside Jim Wink Arena starting this weekend. FSU will host Davis & Elkins (W.Va.) on Saturday (Nov. 9) at 4 p.m. (ET) before entertaining Alderson-Broaddus (W.Va.) on Sunday beginning at 1 p.m. (ET) in Big Rapids.