Men's Basketball Beats Ohio Dominican In League Home Opener

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's basketball team had three players reach double-figure scoring as the Bulldogs won their Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) home opener over Ohio Dominican by a 74-64 score on Thursday (Dec. 6) night at FSU's Jim Wink Arena.

Sophomore guard Drew Lehman (Toledo, Ohio/Central Catholic) netted a game-high 20 points and added six assists in leading the Bulldogs, who improved to 3-3 overall and 2-1 in league play.

The two-time defending GLIAC North Division Champions also received 17 points from senior guard Kenny Brown (Farmington Hills/Harrison) along with 12 points by senior forward Daniel Sutherlin (Detroit/Renaissance).

FSU scored the first nine points of the game before ODU rallied back to take a 29-28 halftime lead in the third-ever series' contest.  However, the Bulldogs outscored the Panthers 46-35 over the final 20 minutes to notch their third win in as many tries against the third-year conference member.

Ferris State shot a blistering 60.9% in the second half to finish at 47.4% shooting for the game and the Bulldogs limited Ohio Dominican to only 35.3% shooting.  FSU also forced 14 turnovers and had only seven of its own.

Ohio Dominican received 18 points from talented guard Morgan Jones, who made five three-pointers but also turned the ball over five times.  Freshman Bobby Stauffer chipped in with 13 points and 11 rebounds in a double-double showing while John Trew contributed 10 points.

The Panthers held a 45-36 rebounding advantage and grabbed 21 offensive boards while outscoring FSU 23-7 in second chance production.  However, the Bulldogs posted a 24-7 edge in points off turnovers.

Ohio Dominican led by as many as four points with 15:05 to play in a game that featured six lead changes, but the Bulldogs took the lead for good a 48-47 with 8:46 remaining and outscored the guests 23-11 over the next seven minutes to seal the victory.

Overall, the Bulldogs notched 10 assists with seven steals and three blocked shots with ODU finishing with nine assists, four steals and two blocks.

FSU made four-of-12 (33.3%) three's and hit 16-of-27 (59.3%) free throws in comparison to Ohio Dominican's six-of-24 (25%) effort from long distance and 10-of-13 (76.9%) showing at the stripe.

In addition to the three players in double figures, the Bulldogs also received nine points from sophomore guard Dietrich Lever (Detroit/Canton) to go with eight points and seven rebounds by redshirt freshman center Jared Stolicker (Middleville/Thornapple-Kellogg).

FSU also received seven rebounds apiece from both Sutherlin and sophomore forward Trent Messer (Richland/Gull Lake), who had missed the last two contests due to injury.

The Bulldogs held a 34-28 advantage in points scored inside the paint.

With the loss, Ohio Dominican dropped to 3-4 overall and 0-3 in league action.

Ferris State wraps up its two-game weekend homestand by hosting the Tiffin Dragons on Saturday, Dec. 8, at Wink Arena.  Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. (ET).

Saturday's game can be heard live on Sunny 97.3 FM and the Bulldog Sports Network online at FerrisStateBulldogs.com starting with the Meijer Pregame Show at 12:30 p.m. (ET).

Fans can purchase tickets in advance for Saturday's game online at StarTickets.com or call (231) 591-2888 for more information.