FSU Posts First Win At SVSU Since 2004

FSU Posts First Win At SVSU Since 2004

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University women's basketball squad picked up its first win over Saginaw Valley State at SVSU's O'Neill Arena since 2004 with a 66-48 triumph in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) action on Saturday (Jan. 7) evening in University Center, Mich.

The Bulldogs had last beat the Cardinals on the road Dec. 11, 2004, and had dropped six-straight league road tilts inside O'Neill Arena prior to Saturday's victory.

With the win, the Bulldogs remain in first place in the GLIAC North Division standings as they improved to 8-4 overall and 6-1 in the GLIAC.

Sophomore guard Sarah DeShone (Elkhart, Ind./Jimtown) led FSU with a game-high 31 points while freshman forward Christina Branch (Grand Rapids/West Michigan Lutheran) added 11 points.  DeShone hit 10-of-16 field goals, including six-of-10 three's, and also made five-of-six free throws in the stellar performance.

Besides scoring a team-high 31 points, DeShone also had a game-high tying eight rebounds and dished out a squad-high tying three assists for the Bulldogs.

Ferris State held SVSU to only 31.9% (15-47) shooting for the game and came up with a 39-27 rebounding edge, which included nine offensive boards to only five for the hosts.

The Bulldogs led 29-23 at halftime and then outscored Saginaw Valley State 37-25 the rest of the way as SVSU dropped to 3-9 overall and 1-5 in the GLIAC.

The Cardinals were led by Kristen Greene's 17 points, but she had only two points in the second half after personally managing to keep the game within striking distance at halftime by connecting on five three's in the opening frame.  Cheritee Green added 13 points in the setback.

Overall, Ferris State converted 22-of-51 (43.1%) field goals and was 10-of-26 (38.5%) beyond the arc to go with 12-of-16 (75%) free throws. The Cardinals made only five-of-13 (38.5%) three's and were 13-of-20 (65%) at the line.

Ferris State distributed the ball well with 17 assists and six different players had two assists or more in the game.  The Cardinals netted 10 assists with Aysha Boston dishing out a game-high five helpers for SVSU.

Saginaw Valley State posted five steals and three blocked shots in comparison to FSU's four thefts and two blocks.  Ferris State had 14 turnovers with the Cardinals giving up the ball 12 times in the game. The Bulldogs played 11 different players on the night.

The Bulldogs held Saginaw Valley State to only 25% (6-24) field goal shooting in the first half.

FSU returns home to host Urbana (Ohio) in non-league play on Wednesday, Jan. 11, at Jim Wink Arena in Big Rapids.  Tipoff is set for 6 p.m.

The Bulldogs' next league game will be on Saturday, Jan. 14, when Northwood comes to town for a 1 p.m. (ET) GLIAC matchup at Wink Arena.