Ferris State Moves Into First-Place Tie In GLIAC With HIgh-Scoring Road Triumph

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's basketball squad opened Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) North Division action in a big way as FSU posted a high-scoring 111-103 road win over Lake Superior State on Thursday (Jan. 12) night at LSSU's Bud Cooper Gymnasium in Sault Ste. Marie.

The Bulldogs topped the century mark for the fourth time in the last five contests by winning the divisional rivalry game to improve to 12-3 overall this season. FSU has now won its last seven games in a row this year and is unbeaten in the New Year.

With the victory, Ferris State also moved into a first-place tie atop the GLIAC North Division standings.

Ferris State placed six in double-figure scoring as the two teams combined for 214 total points in the up and down contest. Junior guard Peter Firlik tallied a team-high 20 points with senior guard Quentin Ruff adding 19 points.

FSU also received 18 points and 12 rebounds from sophomore forward Markese Mayfield in a double-double performance while junior guard Drew Cushingberry added 14 points. Sophomore center Zach Hankins chipped in 12 points with junior forward Noah King adding 11 points in the triumph.

The Bulldogs jumped in front by 13 points midway thru the first half and led 49-46 at halftime. Overall, the two teams exchanged leads four times and the game was tied five times, but FSU outscored the hosts 62-57 over the final 20 minutes.

Ferris State shot 57% for the night and hit nine-of-20 (45%) three's to go with a 28-of-35 (80%) showing from beyond the three-point stripe. LSSU finished shooting at a 50% clip and went 11-of-24 (45.8%) from long range along with 16-of-20 (80%) at the line.

The Lakers were led by Akaemji Williams, who tallied a game-high 28 points and dished out 11 assists. He was joined in double-figures by Jordan Dasuqi with 15 points. The frontcourt combination of Michael Nicholson and Michael Smutny totaled 12 points each and Ke'Montrece Collins added 11 points off the bench.

Ferris State outrebounded the Lakers 42-31 for the night and pulled down 12 offensive boards, which led to a 16-12 margin in second chance production. The Lakers owned a 25-15 margin in points off turnovers as FSU finished with 18 miscues compared to 15 for LSSU.

Overall, FSU finished with 17 assists, seven steals and seven blocked shots. Hankins had five blocks for the Bulldogs, Firlik garnered three steals and both Ruff and Cushingberry notched four assists apiece.

The Lakers combined for 15 assists, three steals and two blocks while dropping to 8-4 overall and 5-3 in the GLIAC.

Ferris State returns home to host the Northwood Timberwolves on Saturday (Jan. 14) starting at 3 p.m. (ET) inside FSU's Jim Wink Arena. It will represent the Bulldogs' first home contest of the New Year.