Current Bulldogs Race Past Former Stars In Annual Men's Basketball Alumni Game

By Cody Carlson
FerrisStateBulldogs.com

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's basketball team kicked off the 2014-15 season against some familiar faces as the Bulldogs hosted their annual Alumni Game on Saturday (Oct. 25) afternoon at Jim Wink Arena.

It was a successful outcome for second year coach Andy Bronkema and his current squad as the Bulldogs were victorious by a score of 106-75 over the past former stars.

The Bulldogs used a huge second half to propel them to victory over the alumni team. FSU received a balanced team effort, which helped this year's Bulldogs outscore the alumni 60-35 in the second half to seal the win. This was the first of preseason matchups the Bulldogs will play this season as a couple of exhibitions are on tap, starting with next Saturday's (Nov. 1) tilt at NCAA Division I Oakland.

"It felt really good to be back out there," said FSU senior forward Matt Stoll. "We have some things to improve on before next Saturday, but we had some players that stepped up today and it will take another good week of practice to be ready for Oakland."

In the opening half, the Bulldogs took a 20-10 lead into the first media timeout with a balanced attack led by senior guard Drew Lehman. Things changed quickly though coming out of the timeout as the alumni squad knocked down three deep triples to cut the Bulldog lead to just one.

The alumni kept up their sharpshooting, going on a 21-6 run to take a 31-26 lead with just under seven minutes to go in the first half.

However, freshman guard Drew Cushingberry helped the Bulldogs chip away at the deficit as he knocked down his first collegiate three-point field goal. It cut the alumni lead to 33-31 with five minutes to play in the first half.

Moving forward, the Bulldogs finished the first half on 20-9 run to take a 46-40 halftime lead over the alumni. FSU junior forward James Chappell paced the Bulldogs in the first half with 15 points while the alumni were led in the first half by former standout Terrence Shaw, who scored 14 points.

The Bulldogs continued their run as the second half started, grabbing a 63-48 lead five minutes into the second half.

Ferris State's lead would then continue to grow behind a big half from junior center Jared Stolicker. The play of Stolicker in the post helped push the Bulldogs' lead to 82-54 with 10 minutes to go in the game.

The Bulldogs didn't look back as they took down the alumni squad by a final score of 106-75.

Thirteen players scored for the Bulldogs in the win over the alumni team. Chappell led five Bulldogs in double figures with 23 points while Stolicker chipped in 16 points. Lehman scored 13 with senior guard Dietrich Lever and junior guard Jibreel Jackson both netting 10 points each.

Shaw led the alumni with 27 points to earn game-high honors.

The Bulldogs will travel to Oakland next Saturday (Nov. 1) to take on Oakland at 1 p.m. (ET). FSU then returns home to host longtime West Michigan foe Calvin in an exhibition game on Nov. 8 at Wink Arena.

BOXSCORE:
(Field goals, free throws, total points)

Ferris State: Noah King 3 0-0 9, Dietrich Lever 4 0-0 10, Drew Cushingberry 1 0-0 3, Josh Fleming 2 0-0 4, Jibreel Jackson 4 0-0 10, James Chappell 8 7-9 23, Quinn Tyson1 2-2 5,  Jared Stolicker 8 0-2 16, Drew Lehman 5 0-0 13, Andrew Meachem 1 0-0 3, Dan Chilcote 1 0-0 3, Matt Stoll 1 1-2 3, Zach Hankins 2 0-0 4,

Alumni: Willie Burrel 0 2-4 2, Jerrell Sanders 3 1-2 8, Daniel Sutherlin 3 5-10 11, Matt DeHart 2 0-0 6, Terrance Shaw 9 7-9 27, Ty Miller 1 2-6 4, Spencer Sellner 3 0-0 7, CJ Van Wieren 2 0-0 5, Raymoan McAfee 2 1-2 5, Cory Anderson 0 0-0 0.