Third-Ranked Bulldogs Take Three-Game Lead Atop GLIAC Following Road Win

Tiffin, Ohio - The nationally third-ranked Ferris State University men's basketball squad opened up a four-game Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) road stretch with a big second half en route to a 80-55 victory over the Tiffin Dragons on Thursday (Feb. 8) night at the Gilmor Center in Tiffin.

The Bulldogs led by only a single point inside of 10 seconds to go in the first half before scoring five points in the final four seconds to grab a 40-34 lead at the break. FSU dominated the second half, outscoring the Dragons 40-21 to earn the win.

The victory was the 12th-straight for the Bulldogs, who improved to 24-1 overall and 14-1 in the GLIAC. The win combined with a Lake Superior State loss at Ashland gives FSU a three-game lead atop the conference with only five games remaining in the regular season.

The Bulldogs had three players reach double-digits in a balanced win with senior forward Noah King scoring a team-high 14 points, which included four-of-seven shooting from beyond the three-point stripe. Junior forward Markese Mayfield added 12 points as did senior guard Drew Cushingberry, who also had seven assists and four steals.

Ferris State shot 52.5% for the night, including a 58% first-half figure, and owned a 37-32 edge on the glass in the win. The Bulldogs hauled in 11 offensive rebounds and outscored TU 14-8 on the offensive glass.

Overall, FSU also hit 10-of-24 (41.7%) from three-point range and made eight-of-11 (72.7%) free throws.

Meanwhile, Tiffin was held to 41% shooting and the Dragons made only 36% of their shots in the second half. They hit six-of-19 (31.6%) from long range and were only one-of-eight (12.5%) at the line.

Tiffin was led by Justin Miller, who totaled 11 points but was the only TU player in double-digits in the final GLIAC regular-season matchup between the two teams with the Dragons departing the league at the end of the year. FSU increased its overall series edge to 13-2 against Tiffin.

The Bulldogs held a 22-15 margin in points off turnovers after forcing 15 TU miscues, which led to 10 steals on the Ferris State side. FSU also had 13 assists and four blocks in the win while outscoring Tiffin 27-13 off the bench.

The Dragons fell to 7-16 overall and 3-12 in GLIAC action with the setback.

Ferris State will visit Ashland on Saturday (Feb. 10) for a 3 p.m. (ET) GLIAC matchup at Kates Gymnasium in Ashland, Ohio.