Ferris State Men's Basketball Opens Season With Home Court Victory

Postgame Highlights 
Postgame Interview - Coach Bronkema 
Postgame Interview - Walt Kelser 

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's basketball squad officially opened the 2021-22 campaign with a victory on Friday (Nov. 12) night as the Bulldogs toppled Ohio Dominican 83-76 inside FSU's Jim Wink Arena.

Ferris State opened the year by beating the Panthers in a tightly-contested matchup as part of a three-team regional classic in Big Rapids this weekend.

FSU took a 46-41 halftime lead and pushed the margin to double-digits several times in the second half before ODU rallied and grabbed the lead late in the game. However, six-straight points from Bulldog senior forward Dorian Aluyi enabled Ferris State to surge back in front and grab control en route to the win.

Senior guard Walt Kelser led four Bulldog players in double-figure scoring with 20 points. Ben Davidson added 12 points, Vejas Grazulis scored 11 points and Logan Ryan added 10 points as FSU started 1-0 this campaign.

Ohio Dominican was led by Alek West, who kept the Panthers in the game with a contest-best 25 points to go with 10 rebounds and nine assists in a near triple-double performance. Marcus Johnson added 14 points off the bench with Zach Szul chipping in 13 points and Max Stepaniak contributing 10 points.

Ferris State shot 50% from the floor and the Bulldogs connected on six-of-12 (50%) three's as compared to ODU's 42.6% shooting overall and six-of-22 (27.3%) effort from long range. FSU also went 21-of-26 (80.8%) at the line with the Panthers managing an 18-of-26 (69.2%) showing.

While Ohio Dominican out rebounded the Bulldogs 37-34 for the night, Ferris State did force 17 turnovers and FSU dished out 22 assists on 28 made baskets.

Aluyi finished with eight points and had a team-high seven rebounds for the Bulldogs while Jimmy Scholler totaled eight assists.

Four different FSU players saw their first regular-season action in a Bulldog uniform.

The Bulldogs will wrap up the weekend on Sunday (Nov. 14) against Drury (Mo.) starting at 3 p.m. (ET) inside Wink Arena. Drury begins its season on Saturday evening versus Ohio Dominican in Big Rapids before taking on the host Bulldogs.