Ferris State Not Able To Overcome Slow Start In Battle Of Ranked Teams At Findlay
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ferris State (4-3) | 43 | 49 | 92 |
|
Findlay (4-0) | 47 | 56 | 103 |
Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's basketball squad could not overcome a slow start as the 14th-ranked Bulldogs fell to 13th-ranked Findlay before a big crowd by a 103-92 score on Tuesday (Nov. 20) night inside UF's Croy Gymnasium in Findlay, Ohio.
In a rematch of last year's NCAA Division II Midwest Regional final, the Oilers jumped in front by 18 points in the early going before Ferris State rallied back to cut the margin to 47-43 at halftime. FSU battled Findlay close early in the second half before the Oilers finally pulled away and hit free throws down the stretch to remain unbeaten.
Senior guard DeShaun Thrower had a big night for the defending national champion Bulldogs as he tallied a game-high 35 points and knocked down seven three's for FSU. Junior guard D'angelo Hughes also produced and finished with 18 points, including a trio of long-range baskets.
Thrower and Hughes were the only two FSU players to reach double-digits despite the fact FSU shot 55% from the floor. Junior Greg Williams along with sophomore Jaylin McFadden and sophomore Armani Tinsley each chipped in with seven points. The Bulldogs went 12-of-22 (55%) from the three-point stripe and were 14-of-20 (70%) at the line.
Meanwhile, Findlay converted on 54% of its field goals and finished 11-of-25 (44%) beyond the arc in addition to 24-of-29 (83%) at the line. Aaron Overhiser scored a team-high 20 points while Alex White added 17 points as six Findlay players reached double-figure scoring.
The Oilers owned a slim 34-29 rebounding edge, but also had 12 offensive boards and forced 15 FSU turnovers in the victory.
The setback snapped a two-game Bulldog winning streak at Croy Gymnasium and dropped FSU to 5-2 overall with both losses coming to top-13 teams in the country this year.
Ferris State will return to action after the Thanksgiving holiday on Saturday, Nov. 24, as the Bulldogs visit Lewis (Ill.) for a 4 p.m. (ET) tipoff in Romeoville, Ill.