FSU

Big Rally Falls Short As Lewis Holds On To Beat 19th-Ranked Bulldogs

Postgame Highlights & Interview Video

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's basketball squad made another big run, but fell short 79-77 on Saturday (Nov. 23) in regional afternoon action against Lewis (Ill.) at FSU's Jim Wink Arena.

The nationally 19th-ranked Bulldogs suffered their first setback of the year in dropping to 8-1 overall despite battling back from a 17-point second half deficit.

The Bulldogs tied the game up in the final minute on a huge three-point shot from junior guard Walt Kelser, but Lewis answered as Adam Pischke got the eventual game-winner on scooping shot in the late with only two seconds remaining. The Bulldogs set up a final potential game-winning shot, however the Flyers came up with the steal as time expired to grab the win as they held off a valiant comeback attempt by FSU, which had rallied from 18 down only a week ago to beat Findlay at Wink Arena.

The Flyers hit 13-of-32 (40.6%) three's en route to the victory and shot 43.9% from the floor against the Bulldogs. Meanwhile, FSU finished at 41.3% shooting, but was only five-of-22 (22.7%) from behind the three-point arc.

Ferris State battled back behind the play of its bench, which outscored the Flyers' reserves by a 45-22 count. Junior forward Michael Peterson had a team-high 17 points with nine boards off the bench while senior guard Greg Williams and sophomore forward Mason Pline both added 14 points in reserve.

Kelser netted 15 points for the Bulldogs and dished out three assists with two steals.

The Bulldogs shot 20-of-25 (80%) from the free throw line and outrebounded the Flyers 45-37 with 15 offensive boards in the contest.

Lewis was led by Anthony D'Avanzo's game-high 22-point effort and Dre Bell added 14 points. The Flyers' Jake Reinhart finished with 11 points and Pischke totaled 10 points.

Both teams had nine turnovers and FSU dished out 19 assists, including five from senior center Cole Walker, to 18 for the Flyers.

The game marked the return of former Bulldog standout guard Quentin Ruff, who's in his first season as an assistant coach on the Lewis staff.

The Bulldogs will return to the floor at home on Tuesday (Nov. 26) night as they host Grace Christian inside Wink Arena. FSU then faces East-West University on Wednesday (Nov. 27) evening in Big Rapids with both contests slated for 7 p.m. (ET) tipoff times.