Ferris State Wraps Up Exhibition Season With Dominating Home Win Over GRCC

Highlights/Postgame Interview

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's basketball squad wrapped up its preseason slate with a 103-58 win over Grand Rapids Community College in exhibition action on Saturday (Oct. 28) night inside FSU's Jim Wink Arena.

The Bulldogs bounced back from a close setback two days ago at NCAA Division I Michigan State to beat the Raiders convincingly at home in their final exhibition game prior to the start of the regular season.

FSU head coach Andy Bronkema faced for the first time his brother LUke, who's the head coach at GRCC, as part of the exhibition showdown.

The Raiders battled FSU close early before the Bulldogs responded and took a 49-26 halftime lead. In the second half, FSU outscored the Raiders 54-32 en route to the victory.

The Bulldogs played a total of 14 different players in the game and all played at least five minutes in the contest while combining to shoot 51% from the floor. FSU hit 10-of-29 (34.5%) three's and made 15-of-18 (83.3%) free throws.

Defensively, the Bulldogs limited GRCC to only 31.3% shooting with the Raiders going four-of-15 (26.7%) beyond the arc and 14-of-16 (87.5%) at the line. Ferris State also forced 21 turnovers.

Sophomore big man Cole Walker led the FSU cause with 15 points while senior forward Noah King added 13 points in the win. Both senior guard Peter Firlik and sophomore guard D'angleo Hughes chipped in with 12 points each while junior forward Markese Mayfield added 11 points.

Overall, 12 of the 14 Bulldogs who saw action scored in the game.

GRCC was led by Curtis Davison's game-high 18 points and Anthony McIntosh chipped in with 17 points overall in 37 minutes of action.

The Bulldogs led by as many as 45 points in the game and owned a 48-36 rebounding edge with 13 offensive caroms compared to 11 for the Raiders. TyQuone Greer led a balanced effort on the glass for FSU with six rebounds while redshirt freshman Michael Peterson also had six boards.

Ferris State dished out 28 assists on 39 baskets with standout guard DeShaun Thrower distributing six assists. He also had four of FSU's 17 steals to lead the Bulldogs in both categories. Finally, FSU had five blocked shots, including three from junior center Zach Hankins.

FSU outscored GRCC 26-6 in points off turnovers and 58-32 in the paint while also owning a 15-4 edge in second chance production. The Bulldogs got 59 points off their bench in comparison to only eight for the Raiders.

Ferris State will officially open the regular season on the road as the Bulldogs take part in the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 3-4, in Evansville, Ind. FSU opens the event against St. Thomas Aquinas on Friday at 1 p.m. (ET) before facing Indiana (Pa.) the following day.