Ferris State Takes #3 GVSU To The Wire In Close Women's Basketball Rivalry Matchup

Postgame Highlights & Interview

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University women's basketball squad gave nationally third-ranked Grand Valley State all it could handle on Thursday (Jan. 2) night as the Bulldogs opened the 2020 portion of the schedule with a hard-fought 72-68 setback against the Lakers at FSU's Jim Wink Arena.

The Bulldogs built an early nine-point lead and led heading into the final period before the Lakers found a way to get the victory in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) play while moving to 12-0 on the year.

Ferris State forced 21 GVSU turnovers and outscored the Lakers 17-6 on the break to remain within striking distance going down the stretch. With the close setback, FSU fell to 7-5 overall and 1-3 in league action.

Senior forward Riley Blair tallied a game-high 23 points for the Bulldogs and went 10-of-15 from the floor while playing all 40 minutes in the decision. Blair was joined in double-digits by freshman guard Mallory McCartney, who totaled 17 points with five assists and two steals.

The Bulldogs also got nine points each from junior guard Adrienne Anderson along with senior guard Renee Sturm. Freshman forward Chloe Idoni added seven points.

Ferris State shot 41% overall and connected on nine-of-23 (39.1%) long range tries along with five-of-11 (45.5%) free throws.

Meanwhile, the Lakers finished at a 49.1% shooting clip, but were only five-of-14 (35.7%) from the three-point stripe in addition to 13-of-17 (76.5%) at the line.

The Lakers received 19 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists from senior guard Jenn DeBoer with senior Maddie Dailey adding 18 points and seven boards. GVSU's Cassidy Boensch totaled 16 points and six blocked shots while Taryn Taugher added 14 points, but the Lakers failed to get any points off the bench.

FSU was outrebounded 42-29 against the bigger GVSU lineup, but the Bulldogs came up with 14 steals, including six from Anderson. Ferris State also had only 12 turnovers overall.

Finally, Sturm dished out six assists as the Bulldogs totaled 22 for the night. Anderson and McCartney both had five helpers apiece for the Bulldogs.

Ferris State will hit the road on Saturday (Jan. 4) for another West Michigan matchup as FSU takes on Davenport in a 1 p.m. (ET) league encounter in Caledonia.