Men's Basketball Drops Exhibition Game At D1 Loyola

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's basketball team took the floor for the first time on Saturday (Nov. 3) afternoon, but fell short in its quest to upset NCAA Division I Loyola University in exhibition play as the Ramblers registered a 61-46 triumph at Gentile Arena in Chicago.

The two teams were tied at 27 points apiece at the break, but the hosts used a 20-2 run midway thru the second half to pull away.

Loyola started the game on an 11-2 run and held its largest lead of the first half at 20-10 with just over eight minutes remaining.  However, the Bulldogs battled back and a three-pointer from senior guard Kenny Brown started a 13-2 Bulldog run, which gave Ferris State a one-point lead with 4:45 left in the opening stanza.

The Ramblers started the second half by scoring the first eight points before FSU pulled back within four points.  FSU, though, was held scoreless for more than seven minutes as Loyola used a big 20-2 run and the Bulldogs could not climb back within 15 points in the final seven minutes of the contest.

Ben Averkamp tallied a game-high 22 points for the Ramblers, but was Loyola's lone player to reach double-figures in the game.

On the Bulldog side, Brown led the way with 15 points while sophomore guard Drew Lehman also reached double-digit scoring with 10 points in the outing.

Ferris State shot only 31% from the floor and was five-of-14 (35.7%) from three-point range as compared to Loyola's 41% figure overall and five-of-12 (41.7%) effort beyond the arc.  The free throws were virtually even with FSU hitting five-of-nine (55.6%) and the Ramblers making six-of-nine (66.7%).

Loyola owned a commanding 47-31 rebounding edge and came up with 17 offensive boards compared to 12 for the Bulldogs.  FSU did force 16 Loyola turnovers and came up with 13 steals in the game, including four from Brown.

Both teams finished with eight blocked shots as FSU received three from sophomore forward Trent Messer.  Ferris State had only five assists compared to 14 for the Ramblers and the Bulldogs finished with 14 turnovers.

Overall, the Bulldogs were outscored 18-8 in the paint and 14-4 off turnovers for the night.

Ferris State had 12 players see action in the game with all seven players off the bench seeing their first action in a Bulldog uniform.

The Bulldogs will continue exhibition play by hosting Calvin on Tuesday (Nov. 6) night at FSU's Jim Wink Arena.  Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. (ET).