Defending National Champs Race Past GRCC In Exhibition Victory At Wink Arena

Big Rapids, Mich. - The defending NCAA Division II National Champion Ferris State University men's basketball squad tipped off the 2018-19 season in style as the Bulldogs raced to a 104-63 exhibition win over Grand Rapids Community College on Friday (Oct. 19) night at Jim Wink Arena.

The preseason tilt pitted the Bulldogs under reigning NCAA-II National Coach of the Year Andy Bronkema against a GRCC team led by his brother, Luke Bronkema. It marked the second consecutive year in which the two squads have played an exhibition game in Big Rapids.

Ferris State jumped out in front early and put up 62 points in the first half of the game while shooting at a 57% clip from the floor, which included 10 three-pointers in the opening 20 minutes of play. FSU doubled up the Raiders on the scoreboard, leading 62-31 at half.

In the second half, the Bulldogs outscored the Raiders 42-32 en route to the win while playing 15 different players. All 15 saw at least six minutes of playing time or more with 12 notching double-digit minutes.

The Bulldogs had four players reach double-figure scoring on the night with junior guard D'angelo Hughes pouring in a game-high 19 points on seven-of-12 shooting along with three-of-six from downtown.

Along with Hughes, redshirt sophomore Armani Tinsley tallied 12 points and went four-of-six beyond the arc with freshman forward Mason Pline and junior center Cole Walker both totaling 12 points as well.

All 15 Bulldog players who saw action scored with both senior transfer center Taylor Adway and senior guard DeShaun Thrower totaling nine points apiece. Junior guard Greg Williams added seven points in the victory.

Ferris State finished shooting 51% overall and went 13-of-31 (41.9%) from long range along with nine-of-14 (64.3%) from the free throw stripe.

Defensively, the Bulldogs held GRCC to 37% shooting, including only 29% in the second half. The Raiders converted seven-of-27 (25.9%) three's and were eight-of-13 (61.5%) at the line.

The Bulldogs held a 51-37 rebounding edge and forced 22 turnovers in the game. FSU had 22 offensive boards and came up with 14 steals and five blocked shots. FSU had 13 turnovers of its own.

Ferris Statea also distributed the ball well as FSU dished out 33 assists, including eight from sophomore forward Jaylin McFadden, who added three steals. On the glass, Adway paced the Bulldogs with nine rebounds and both senior forward Markese Mayfield and Hughes had each each. Hughes also dished out four assists and posted three steals.

Samuel Ryans led GRCC with 18 points and Gregory Robinson totaled 10 points in the losing effort for a squad that reached the NJCAA National Tournament a year ago.

The Bulldogs will hold their annual Alumni Game on Sunday (Oct. 21) against stars from the past with tipoff set for 3 p.m. (ET) inside Jim Wink Arena. Following Sunday's tilt, the Bulldogs then play their final exhibition game on Saturday, Oct. 27, against the Duke Blue Devils at historic Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C.