FSU Preserves Victory With Late Stop At Home

Postgame Audio File:
Head Coach Tracey Dorow, Kelsey DeNoyelles & Becci Houdek
(MP3 File) - (Windows Media Version)

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University women's basketball squad came up with a much-needed stop on the game's final possession in holding off Northwood by a 59-58 count on Thursday (Feb. 25) evening in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) play at FSU's Jim Wink Arena.

The Bulldogs led by nine with 4:21 to play, but the Timberwolves held Ferris scoreless the rest of the way and trimmed the deficit to a single point on a layup from Pam Wilson with 47 seconds left in the contest.

After two Bulldog misses, the Timberwolves found Wilson for a potential game-winning three-pointer but it came up empty in the closing seconds and FSU was able to preserve the win.

Ferris State snapped a five-game losing skid in improving to 7-19 overall and 6-15 in conference play. The Timberwolves, who had already earned a GLIAC Tournament berth, dropped to 12-13 overall and 8-13 in league action.

Sophomore guard Kelsey DeNoyelles matched her career-high set in FSU's most recent contest last Saturday (Feb. 20) at Lake Superior State with a game-high 17 points. She added five rebounds, three steals and two assists.

The Bulldogs also received 12 points from junior guard Becci Houdek and 10 points by junior forward Tiara Adams. Houdek sparked the offense with nine assists, including seven in the opening half as FSU built a 41-39 advantage at the break.

Overall, Ferris shot only 39.3% (24-61) from the floor and was six-of-16 (37.5%) beyond the three-point line along with five-of-seven (71.4%) at the free throw stripe.

"We shot the ball better in the first half, but I thought our defense and rebounding were better in the second half all around," said head coach Tracey Dorow. "Northwood's a good team that keeps battling, but we're glad we got one today."

Meanwhile, the Timberwolves were limited to 42% (21-50) shooting, which included a 27.3% (6-22) figure over the final 20 minutes after shooting 54% (15-28) in the first half. NU was five-of-20 (25%) behind the arc and 11-of-14 (78.6%) at the charity line.

FSU also owned a 36-30 rebounding edge and came up with 15 offensive boards compared to only eight for the Timberwolves.

The Bulldogs turned the ball over 11 times while Northwood finished with 12 miscues. FSU netted 16 assists, seven steals and two blocked shots with the Timberwolves totaling 10 assists, five thefts and four swats.

The game featured only three lead changes with Northwood's largest being only a two-point advantage on the first basket 13 seconds into the game. FSU held a 10-point lead at one point with 5:45 to play in the contest.

Ferris was outscored 26-22 in the paint, but tallied 11 fast break points compared to none for Northwood, which played only six players in the game due to injuries.

The Bulldogs will wrap up the 2009-10 campaign by hosting the Wayne State Warriors in their season finale on Saturday (Feb. 27) at Wink Arena. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. (EST).

FSU students and fans will have chances to win prizes, scholarships and more during the "Operation Giveaway" promotion on Saturday. Ten $500 scholarships will be awarded to current students with the odds doubling by attending both the men's and women's games. Tons of other giveaways will also be handed out throughout the day and the first 500 fans will receive a rally towel. Ferris students are admitted free and tickets may be purchased at the door.

Bulldog Bites: Ferris State improved to 6-5 overall this season at home with the victory ...... The win avenged an earlier 68-62 setback to the Timberwolves this season in Midland (Jan. 23) ...... FSU played nine players in the contest and eight scored as the Bulldogs held an 11-4 edge in points off the bench ....... The victory was FSU's 22nd in the last 26 series' meetings against Northwood ...... Sophomore guard Tricia Principe was held to only two points, but had a game-high tying eight rebounds and three assists for Ferris State.