Early Oiler Run Fuels Victory Over FSU

Findlay, Ohio - Host Findlay jumped out to an early advantage and cruised to a 71-43 victory over the Ferris State women's basketball team in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) play on Thursday (Dec. 10) evening at UF's Croy Gymnasium in Findlay, Ohio.

The Oilers jumped out to a 17-point lead only nine minutes into the game and led 37-22 at halftime.  UF then outscored FSU 34-21 over the final 20 minutes to improve to 6-1 overall and 2-1 in GLIAC play.

Ferris dropped to 2-5 overall and 1-3 in conference action as the Bulldogs turned the ball over 19 times and made only one-of-13 (7.7%) three-point field goal tries.  Meanwhile, the Oilers shot 41.4% (24-58) from the field and sank 13-of-25 (52%) attempts from beyond the arc.

Preseason All-GLIAC honorees Laura Bardall and Audra Mihalic paced the Oiler offense with totals of 19 points and 16 points, respectively.  Bardall sank four treys and dished out a game-high seven assists in the victory. Mihalic added six assists as the Oilers totaled 20 assists for the outing.

Sophomore guard Tricia Principe led FSU with 11 points and six rebounds.  Freshman forward Leah Kebler tallied 10 points and six boards off the bench for the Bulldogs.

Ferris shot 30.8% (16-52) from the floor and converted only 10-of-19 (52.6%) free throws.  FSU owned a 43-32 rebbounding edge, but the Oilers turned the ball over only 11 times.  UF was 10-of-11 (90.9%) at the free throw stripe.

The Bulldogs were outscored 23-9 in points off turnovers in a game that featured only one lead change.

Ferris State returns to action by visiting Hillsdale on Saturday (Dec. 12) for a 1 p.m. (EST) league game at Jesse Phillips Arena in Hillsdale, Mich.  The contest will be FSU's final one before the Christmas holiday.

Bulldog Bites: FSU finished with 11 assists, five blocked shots and four steals ...... The Oilers had 10 steals and five blocks for the contest ..... Ferris shot only 29.6% (8-27) from the field in the first half .... UF picked up its third series' win in the last four meetings ..... The Oilers also tied up the all-time series' at seven wins apiece.