Women's BB Drops New's Year's Eve Game

Oakland City, Ind. - The Ferris State University women's basketball team wrapped up the 2009 portion of its schedule with a 85-74 New Year's Eve setback versus Oakland City on Thursday (Dec. 31) evening in Oakland City, Ind.

The Bulldogs dropped to 2-8 overall with the loss despite building an early seven-point lead at 22-15 only 10 minutes into the contest.

The first half was close throughout with the Lady Oaks taking a narrow 43-40 halftime edge.  They then outscored FSU 42-34 over the final 20 minutes of the contest, including the first nine points of the final frame to take a 12-point lead.

Ferris battled back to tie the game at 61-61 with 10 minutes to play, but a 7-0 Oakland City run gave the Lady oaks the lead for good.  The hosts made nine of 12 free throws in the final minutes to secure the win.

Turnovers again hampered the Bulldogs as FSU finished with 26 miscues compared to only 16 for Oakland City, which improved to 4-7 overall with the victory.

The Bulldogs shot 42.1% (24-57) from the floor and also owned a slim 40-35 rebounding edge on the glass.  FSU hit five-of-16 (31.3%) tries from three-point range and sank 21-of-28 (75%) free throws on the night.

Meanwhile, the Lady Oaks coverted 44.8% (26-58) of their field goal attempts and made 29-of-42 (69%) free throws as FSU was whistled for 28 personal fouls.  Oakland City was four-of-10 (40%) behind the three-point line.

Additionally, Oakland City compiled 17 assists, 12 steals and seven blocked shots while FSu managed 14 assists, nine thefts and two swats for the game.

Five Bulldog players reached double-figure scoring in the contest as FSU was led by sophomore guard Tricia Principe's 16 points and eight rebounds.  Sophomore guard Kelsey DeNoyelles added 15 points and eight boards, sophomore guard Lindsey Pettit posted 13 points and freshman forward/center Leah Kebler contributed 11 points.

The Bulldogs also received 10 points and 10 boards from junior forward Tiara Adams in a double-double effort.

Oakland City also placed five players in double-digits with Samantha Stahl scoring a game-high 20 points. Kayla Sutton added 13 points off the bench, Berna Miranda tallied 12 points, Sarah Roth scored 11 points and Kristi McVey netted 10 points in the winning cause.

FSU shot only 34.5% (10-29) in the second half after posting a 50% (14-28) shooting performance in the initial 20 minutes of action.

Ferris State returns home and will resume Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) play versus Lake Superior State on Thursday, Jan. 7, at FSU's Jim Wink Arena in Big Rapids. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. (EST).

FSU then squares off against Saginaw Valley State in a conference home contest as part of the "Basketball Bonanza" high school-college quadruple header on Saturday, Jan. 9, with the women's game scheduled for a 3 p.m. (EST) start at Wink Arena.