Fifth-ranked Ferris State Falls To Daemen In New York Finale

Big Rapids, Mich. - The nation's fifth-ranked Ferris State University women's basketball squad suffered its first setback of 2024 on Wednesday (Jan. 3) as the Bulldogs dropped a 61-56 road decision to close out a two-game New York road trip at Daemen University in Amherst, N.Y.

The Bulldogs, who had defeated D'Youville in Buffalo to open the non-league trip on Tuesday, fell to the Wildcats despite taking a 20-17 lead after the opening period of play. Daemen outscored FSU 14-8 to build a small three-point halftime lead and jumped the margin up to eight at the end of the third period. FSU cut into the gap down the stretch and pulled within three with 14 seconds to play, but could get no closer.

Ferris State was held to 35.5% shooting from the floor and FSU finished eight-of-29 (27.6%) from long range in the setback, falling to 7-2 overall this season.

Senior forward Chloe Idoni paced the Bulldogs with a team-high 22 points and 10 rebounds in a double-double performance, but was the lone FSU player to reach double-digits. Mya Hiram added eight points with both Kenzie Bowers and Mallory McCartney notching six points each in the decision.

Meanwhile, Daemen got a game-high 26 points from Alahna Paige in the win while Claire Pikett added in 10 points. The Wildcats shot 47.1% from the floor and made six-of-15 (40%) three's to go with seven-of-11 (63.6%) free throws.

FSU did force 19 turnovers, however Daemen held a 18-9 edge in points off turnovers as Ferris State finished with 16 of its own. The Bulldogs held a slim 36-35 rebounding margin and finished with both seven steals and seven blocked shots overall. McCartney also dished out nine of FSU's 15 assists in the game.

Ferris State will return home to host Lake Superior State in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) play on Saturday (Jan. 6) with tipoff set for 1 p.m. (ET) inside Jim Wink Arena. It will mark only the Bulldogs' second home game of the season and first of the New Year.