Bulldog Women Fall Short At Bowie State

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University women's basketball squad couldn't quite close out 2010 on a winning note as the Bulldogs fell to host Bowie State (Md.) 63-60 on Thursday (Dec. 30) in the final game of the "Cluck U Chicken" Lady Bulldogs Holiday Classic in Bowie, Md.

Ferris, which dominated Virginia Union 69-43 in Wednesday's (Dec. 29) opening game of the event, held a three-point lead with 2:20 to play, but the hosts outscored FSU 11-5 the rest of the way in notching the victory.

FSU led 55-52 late in the contest, but Bowie State forced three consecutive turnovers and grabbed a key offensive rebound off a missed free throw as part of a 7-0 run to take a four-point lead with 30 seconds remaining in the battle between the two Bulldog teams. 

Ferris remained within striking distance after a three-pointer from junior guard Kelsey DeNoyelles (Mt. Pleasant/Sacred Heart) cut the BSU lead to a single point with 10 seconds left. The hosts made two free throws after a FSU foul and a potential game-tying three-pointer from FSU freshman guard Sarah DeShone (Elkhart, Ind./Jimtown) came up empty as the final horn sounded.

Bowie State held a slim 28-26 halftime advantage in the first-ever series' encounter between the two programs at A.C. Jordan Arena.  They wound up winning the game despite shooting only 35% (21-60) from the floor.

Ferris was hampered by 22 turnovers, which resulted in an 18-4 edge in points scored off miscues for Bowie State.  BSU turned it over only 14 times in the outing.

The visiting Bulldogs shot 42.3% (22-52) from the field and connected on seven-of-18 (38.9%) three-point tries, but made only nine-of-19 (47.4%) free throws.

Meanwhile, Bowie State hit 16-of-26 (61.5%) shots from the charity stripe to go with five-of-15 (33.3%) three-point shooting.

BSU also owned a 42-38 rebounding advantage as the hosts grabbed 15 offensive boards, leading to a 10-4 margin in second chance scoring.

The Bulldogs, who fell to 6-6 overall this campaign, were led by DeNoyelles' game-high 16 points.  Senior forward Tiara Adams (Lansing/Waverly) added 15 points and 10 rebounds in a double-double effort while junior guard Tricia Principe (Kalamazoo/Mattawan) chipped in 12 points and seven boards.

On the opposite side, Bowie State received 14 points and a game-best 14 rebounds from Teaunsha Robinson with Lakisha Walker adding 11 points and Brittne Gowdy contributing 10 points.

Ferris totaled 15 assists in the contest with senior guard Becci Houdek (Canton) netting eight of her own to go with seven points, three rebounds and two steals.  Adams also had three assists and came up with two steals in addition to her double-double performance.

Overall, the Bulldogs finished with seven steals and two blocked shots in comparison to Bowie State's nine steals and four blocks.  BSU totaled 16 assists and was led by Walker's five dimes in improving to 4-3 overall this year.

Ferris State returns home to host Lake Superior State next Thursday, Jan. 6, in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) play at FSU's Jim Wink Arena.  Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. (ET) in Big Rapids.  FSU then visits Saginaw Valley State on Saturday, Jan. 8, for a 7 p.m. (ET) league tilt at University Center, Mich.

Bulldog Bites: Tiara Adams was named to the All-Classic Team for her efforts in the two-day event ...... The Bulldogs were called for 23 personal fouls compared to only 15 for BSU ....... Bowie State posted a decisive 36-8 edge in points scored off the bench ...... The score was tied four times and the game featured seven lead changes ...... Ferris was only one-of-six (16.7%) from the free throw line in the first half.