FSU Women Open Season With Victory

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University women's basketball team started off its 2011-12 campaign on a winning note as the Bulldogs defeated a regional opponent in Lewis (Ill.) by a 81-72 count inside Jim Wink Arena in Big Rapids.

The Bulldogs jumped out to a 45-29 lead at halftime and held a 20-point advantage with 16:34 to play en route to the victory.

FSU received a game-high 30 points from sophomore guard Sarah DeShone, who was 10-of-14 from the floor and five-of-eight beyond the three-point arc.  She added four steals.

Senior forward Lindsey Pettit added 17 points in the win while sophomore forward Nikki Arner chipped in with 12 points and five rebounds.

Ferris State shot 55.1% (27-49) from the floor and connected on six-of-17 (35.3%) three-pointers to go with a 21-of-27 (77.8%) showing at the free throw line.

Meanwhile, Lewis was 26-of-64 (40.6%) overall and made 11-of-24 (45.8%) three's in addition to nine-of-13 (69.2%) free throws.

Labrenthia Murdock paced Lewis with 19 points and Madeline Kish chipped in with 16 points in the loss for the Flyers.

The Bulldogs outrebounded Lewis 34-30 for the game despite giving up 13 offensive boards.  FSU also turned the ball over 16 times to 14 for the Flyers, who held a slimt 19-15 margin in points off turnovers.

Both teams totaled 12 assists in the game and each had 10 steals along with one blocked shot apiece in the contest.

Ferris utilized 10 players and posted a 27-14 advantage in points off the bench.  The Bulldogs also totaled 30 points in the paint to only 22 for LU.

The game featured just a single lead change as Lewis built a seven-point lead only three minutes into the contest before a Bulldog run gave FSU a 28-12 lead with 6:33 to play in the first half.  Lewis trailed by double-digits most all of the second half until the final two minutes.

Ferris State hits the road next weekend and will take part in the Lander Lady Bearcats Tipoff Classic in Greenwood, S.C.  FSU opens action against South Carolina-Aiken on Saturday, Nov. 19, at 3 p.m. (ET) before facing host Lander on Sunday, Nov. 20, at 4 p.m. (ET).