Game-Winning Three From Jackson At The Buzzer Lifts FSU Past Albion

Game-Winning Three From Jackson At The Buzzer Lifts FSU Past Albion

Video Of Game-Winning Shot 

By Cody Carlson
FerrisStateBulldogs.com

Big Rapids, Mich. – A last second three-point shot from junior guard Jibreel Jackson at the buzzer lifted the Ferris State University men's basketball team to a dramatic 54-52 home win over visiting Albion in non-league fashion on Saturday (Nov. 29) night at FSU's Jim Wink Arena.

Ferris State rolled to its third-straight win despite a slow start and came up with the game-winner at the buzzer. Following a rebound on a missed free throw with 2.2 seconds to play, the Bulldogs called timeout.

From the far baseline, FSU sophomore center Jared Stolicker inbounded the ball to junior James Chappell at halfcourt, who turned and fired to Jackson open on the wing behind the three-point line near the Bulldog bench. His shot went thru the net as time expired and the Bulldogs stormed the floor.

Oddly enough, the hero of the night who made the winning three-pointer was celebrating a birthday.

"This is the best birthday I have had," said Jackson. "It will be hard to top this birthday and I certainly won't forget it."

The Bulldogs, who were coming off a 46-point victory over Grace Bible on Tuesday evening, fought hard in the second half to push past the upstart Britons.

The Bulldogs fell behind 34-18 at halftime while just shooting 5-of-33 (15.2%) from the field and three-of-16 (18.8%) from downtown in the opening half of play. Freshman Drew Cushingberry connecting on two of the three Bulldog triples in the first half, but Albion shot 12-of-26 (46.2%) from the field and four-of-eight (50%) from the three-point line to grab the 16-point lead at the break

The Bulldogs flipped the script as the second half started with 17-0 run to start the second half. FSU held Albion scoreless for the first eight minutes of the second frame and took a 35-34 lead. Stolicker scored six points and added seven rebounds in the eight minute run.

From there, the two teams exchanged blows throughout the second half. The Britons took a 52-51 lead with just 44.8 seconds to play before Jackson's three-pointer eventually gave the Bulldogs the victory as time expired.

As a team, FSU shot 30.2% overall for the game and connected on six-of-24 (25%) three's along with 10-of-12 (83.3%) free throws. Meanwhile, the Britons shot 35.2% and connected on five-of-15 (33%) from downtown to go with nine-of-15 (60%) from the line. 

The Britons held a slight edge on the boards 43-41, despite a personal career-high 18 boards from Stolicker. The Bulldogs tallied 15 offensive boards to 11 caroms on the offensive glass for Albion, which led to a 11-6 margin in second chance scoring.

Additionally, the Bulldogs held a 20-8 edge in points scored inside the paint and forced 14 Albion turnovers while owning a narrow 10-5 advantage in points off turnovers. FSU had only nine turnovers of it's own.

Ferris State was paced by Chappell and Stolicker in double-figures. Chappell led FSU with 12 points while Stolicker added 11 overall. Josh Fleming, Drew Lehman, and Cushingberry all posted six points each.  

Along with the balanced scoring, the Bulldogs had 15 assists in the game. Senior guard Dietrich Lever had five assists while Lehman added three assists.

FSU came up with seven steals off the 14 Albion turnovers to help set the defensive tone. Chappell and Jackson led the Bulldogs with two steals apiece.

Stolicker finished with nine rebounds in each half en route to his 18 total boards. Fleming added six boards and Lehman totaled five in the victory.

Lastly, Chappell led FSU with two blocked shots.

Albion finished with 13 assists and four steals without recording a blocked shot.

Leading the way for Albion was Travell Oakes, who recorded a double-double by scoring 16 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. Zach Hurth added 10 points while going two-of-three from behind the three-point line. Dakota Hazen scored eight points and Robert Ryan added seven for the Britons, who fell to 2-2 overall with the loss.

Ferris State, which is now 3-2 overall this season, will travel to Lake Erie on Thursday, Dec. 4, as the Bulldogs open GLIAC play in Painesville, Ohio. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. (ET).