Ferris State Repeats As GLIAC Tourney Champions To Earn NCAA Tourney Bid!

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's basketball squad capped a second consecutive run thru the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Tournament as the Bulldogs repeated as back-to-back league tourney champions with an impressive 76-59 triumph over Walsh in the title game on Sunday (March 6) in Ashland, Ohio.

The Bulldogs defended their league tourney crown by capping a three-game sweep in postseason play to win their third-ever GLIAC Tournament Championship and earn the conference's automatic bid into the NCAA Division II Tournament.

Ferris State will now await the NCAA Selection Show, which takes place Sunday night at 10:30 p.m. (ET) and will be streamed live online at NCAA.com. The Bulldogs will be one of eight teams taking part in the Midwest Regional set for March 12-15 at a site to be determined.

In Sunday's title game, the sixth-seeded Bulldogs fell behind early as eighth-seeded Walsh scored the first eight points of the game. The Cavaliers led much of the way in the opening half before a late FSU surge gave the Bulldogs a 32-26 lead at the break.

The second half, though, belonged to the Bulldogs as FSU outscored Walsh 44-33 in the final 20 minutes and shut down the potent Walsh attack. The Cavaliers, who had scored 98 points in a rout of fifth-seeded Hillsdale in semifinal-round play on Saturday, were limited to only 59 points on 38% shooting by Ferris State.

The Bulldogs in turn also took care of the basketball as they had only three turnovers in the game and none in the second half. FSU also owned a decisive 42-6 advantage in points scored inside the paint and received key points off the bench via a 35-4 margin in points from reserves.

Ferris State capped its second-straight league tourney run with a balanced lineup that saw four players reach double figures. Junior guard Quentin Ruff produced a squad-best 12 points with senior center Jared Stolicker adding 11 points and nine rebounds. Sophomore guard Noah King chipped in with 11 points and senior forward Josh Fleming totaled 10 points in the triumph.

FSU shot 53% overall for the gam, including a 62% figure in the second half. The Bulldogs hit five-of-15 three's (33%) and went seven-of-13 (54%) at the line. Meanwhile, Walsh made 12-of-31 (38.7%) three's and connected on only five-of-12 (41.7%) free throws as the two teams squared off for the second-straight year in the league tourney.

Ferris State outrebounded Walsh 39-29 for the game and compiled 16 assists, seven blocked shots and five steals. Walsh finished with 16 assists and a single steal with no blocks and eight turnovers.

The Bulldogs' league tournament title marks the first time in school history in which FSU has claimed the GLIAC postseason crown in back-to-back years.

For his efforts in the run thru the league tourney, Stolicker was chosen as the GLIAC Tournament Most Valuable Player. Both Ruff and sophomore guard Drew Cushingberry also claimed all-tourney honors for the Bulldogs.

With the win, Ferris State improved to 22-9 overall this campaign.

Stay tuned to FerrisStateBulldogs.com for additional postseason information as it becomes available.