Five Reach Double-Digits as First-Place Bulldogs Top Davenport In Home League Encounter

Postgame Interview & Highlights 
Lee Higgins Postgame Interview 

Big Rapids, Mich. - The nationally-ranked Ferris State University Bulldogs had five players reach double-figure scoring and rolled to a 91-74 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) home win over Davenport on Thursday (Feb. 3) night inside Jim Wink Arena in Big Rapids.

The Bulldogs' win was FSU's 17th of the year, now 17-3 overall, and kept the Bulldogs on top of the conference standings with a perfect 12-0 league record. It was Ferris State's eighth win in a row this season.

Ferris State, ranked ninth nationally in the Division II Sports Information Directors of America (D2SIDA) poll and 15th by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), never trailed in the game after a quick start although Davenport battled back and kept it close much of the first half before the Bulldogs opened up a 41-31 edge at intermission. In the second half, though, the Bulldogs pushed their lead to as many as 20 points and totaled 50 points to garner the victory.

Overall, FSU led for more than 39 minutes of the game and shot 60% in the first half along with 50% in the second half to finish at 54.5% for the night. The Bulldogs, who were among the nation's leaders in three-point field goal percentage, made only four-of-23 (17.4%) three's, but did go 15-of-20 (75.0%) at the free throw line.

Defensively, Ferris State forced 19 turnovers and came away with 11 steals and four block shots.

Senior forward Dorian Aluyi led five Bulldogs in double-digits as he totaled 16 points and pulled down a game-high eight rebounds. Fellow senior Logan Ryan also had 16 points for FSU with senior guard Walt Kelser notching 15 points, six assists and two steals.

The Bulldogs also received 14 points, four assists and three steals from senior guard Lee Higgins while redshirt sophomore Ben Davidson recorded 13 points in the win.

Ferris State earned a 33-29 rebounding advantage and came down with nine offensive boards, leading to a 14-6 margin in second chance production. FSU also totaled 56 points in the paint to only 34 for the Panthers.

Davenport shot 49.1% for the evening and was eight-of-18 (44.4%) from long range to go with a 10-of-15 (66.7%) showing at the free throw stripe.

The Panthers were led by Jarrin Randall and Chris Rollins with 18 points apiece. Jairus Stevens added 15 points as DU fell to 9-9 overall and 5-6 in the GLIAC.

Ferris State will host West Michigan rival Grand Valley State on Saturday (Feb. 5) with tipoff set for 3 p.m. (ET) inside Wink Arena. The Bulldogs then pay a return visit to Davenport to face the Panthers again on Monday (Feb. 7) night in Caledonia in a rescheduled contest.