Ferris State Basketball Stays Close In Exhibition Setback At D1 Illinois State

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's basketball squad kept the contest close much of the way before falling to NCAA Division I Illinois State in an exhibition tilt on Sunday (Nov. 27) at Redbird Arena.

The Bulldogs trailed by only five, 42-37, at halftime before the hosts outscored FSU 39-30 over the final 20 minutes to pick up the win at Doug Collins Court.

Ferris State received a season-high 20 points from junior guard Drew Cushingberry in 28 minutes of work while forward Andrew Meacham added 11 points and knocked down a trio of three-pointers in the setback. FSU also received seven points from junior guard Peter Firlik along with six by junior forward Noah King.

Overall, a total of 12 FSU players saw action and 11 scored for the Bulldogs, who shot 42.6% from the floor and made 10-of-24 (41.7%) three's. FSU also went 11-of-14 (78.6%) from the free throw stripe.

Illinois State had four players reach double-figure scoring with Phil Fayne posting a game-high 22 points. Deontae Hawkins added 21 points while Paris Lee scored 12 points and DJ Clayton notched 11 in the game. ISU shot 45.6% from the field, but was only three-of-10 (30%) from long range and 16-of-24 (66.7%) at the line.

FSU was outrebounded 39-35 and the Redbirds also pulled down 15 offensive caroms. Another important factor was turnovers with FSU totaling 22 in the game to only 11 for Illinois State, leading to a 29-17 edge for the Redbirds in points off miscues.

Ferris State finished with nine assists, seven steals and four blocked shots overall with ISU recording 18 assists, 15 steals and six blocks overall.

Ferris State will open Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) play on Thursday, Dec. 1, as FSU hosts Ohio Dominican at 8 p.m. (ET). The game will take place at Big Rapids High School due to Ferris State also hosting the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional Volleyball Tournament at Wink Arena the same evening.

Following the conference opener against ODU, the Bulldogs then return to Jim Wink Arena to host Findlay on Sunday, Dec. 4, starting at 2 p.m. (ET). The game was moved from its original Saturday date due to the volleyball regional.