Ferris State Stays Atop GLIAC By Pulling Away For Road Win Over Defending League Champs

University Center, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's basketball squad kept its hold on first place in the GLIAC North Division as the Bulldogs sprinted past defending league champion Saginaw Valley State 95-85 in conference play at SVSU's O'Neill Arena in University Center.

The Bulldogs claimed the win in a rematch of last year's NCAA Division II Midwest Regional Championship Game to improve to 14-3 overall and 8-2 in the GLIAC. The win was FSU's ninth-straight this season and the Bulldogs have topped the 80-plus point mark in each of the last eight contests.

Ferris State had five player reach double-figures in the win as FSU pulled away late to beat the Cardinals, who had topped FSU three times a year ago. Sophomore center Zach Hankins led FSU with 19 points, 10 rebounds and six blocked shots in the triumph.

The Bulldogs also received 19 points and five assists from junior guard Drew Cushingberry along with 16 points by junior guard Peter Firlik. Junior forward Noah King chipped in 13 points with senior guard Quentin Ruff pouring in 12 points for Ferris State.

FSU shot 51.5% from the floor and nailed eight-of-22 (36.4%) three's along with 17-of-28 (60.7%) free throws. Meanwhile, the Cardinals connected on 52.5% of their field goals and went six-of-18 (33.3%) beyond the arc along with 15-of-19 (78.9%) at the stripe.

The Cardinals were led by senior guard Garrett Hall, who tallied a game-high 31 points as SVSU dropped to 11-6 overall and 4-6 in the GLIAC after being ranked number one in the nation earlier this year. Mike Wells added 23 points and standout forward C.J. Turnage totaled 10 points in the loss.

FSU had only seven turnovers and outscored the hosts 21-11 on the offensive glass while owning a 41-29 rebounding advantage. The Bulldogs also came up with seven blocked shots and five steals while dishing out 15 assists.

SVSU finished with 10 turnovers and totaled 11 assists, four steals and a single block. The Bulldogs managed to outscore Saginaw Valley State 21-9 on the break and 10-7 in points off turnovers. The game featured seven lead changes.

Ferris State will return home to Wink Arena to host Wayne State in GLIAC action on Saturday (Jan. 21) starting at 3 p.m. (ET) in Big Rapids. The contest is the Bulldogs' last home game in January prior to a three-game road stretch.