Ferris State Steps Onto Big Stage In Exhibition Setback At Michigan

Ann Arbor, Mich. - The Ferris State University women's basketball team stepped onto the big stage Sunday (Nov. 8) as the Bulldogs squared off against the University of Michigan Wolverines in an exhibition contest at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor.

FSU battled the Wolverines early on in the opening quarter before the Wolverines turned up the pressure and eventually claimed a 109-39 victory over the Bulldogs. Michigan is coming off a 20-win campaign a year ago.

The preseason contest not only marked the Bulldog debut for first-year FSU head coach Kendra Faustin, but it also represented the first outing in a Ferris State uniform for seven other Bulldog players who competed in the game.

Michigan shot a blistering 67% from the floor on 46-of-69 field goals while connecting on 10-of-15 three's (67%) in the victory. UM also forced 27 Bulldog turnovers, leading to a 40-6 margin in points off miscues.

FSU kept the game close early and trailed by only eight with 2:45 to go in the first period, but Michigan closed the quarter on a 16-0 run to seize control. The Wolverines led 37-13 at the end of one in the new four-quarter format implemented for collegiate women's games this season.

Ferris State was outscored by only a 22-13 margin in the second quarter, but was then held to only 13 second half points as Michigan raced to the win.

Sophomore forward Rachel McInerney led the Bulldogs with a team-high 12 points and five rebounds in the setback. She was the lone FSU player to reach double-digit scoring against the bigger and quicker Wolverines with newcomers Riley Blair and Joslyn Nicholson adding six points apiece.

The Bulldogs were held to 33% shooting for the game and managed to make three-of-11 (27.3%) three's along with four-of-seven (57%) free throws. FSU was also outrebounded 41-17 for the afternoon.

Meanwhile, Katelynn Flaherty paced Michigan with a game-high 28 points as she hit 11-of-16 attempts and made six-of-seven three's. Center Hallie Thome added 20 points on 10-of-12 shooting while Nicole Munger scored 17 points and both Jillian Dunston and Madison Ristovski tallied 12 points each.

In addition to McInerney's five rebounds, senior guard Katie Mavis also had five boards to help the Bulldog cause and dished out a team-high trhee assists. Junior guard Emily Evans had two steals.

Ferris State officially opens the 2015-16 campaign on the road at the Pops Duncan Classic hosted by Trevecca Nazarene University on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 13-14, in Nashville, Tenn. FSU will face regional foe Kentucky Wesleyan in Friday's season opener at 8:30 p.m. (ET) before meeting the host school on Saturday starting at 2 p.m. (ET).

This year will mark FSU's second-straight appearance in the Pops Duncan Classic after the Bulldogs recorded a 2-0 mark against the same two opponents a year ago.

Following the trip to Nashville, Ferris State returns home for its home opener inside Jim Wink Arena against Cedarville (Ohio) on Nov. 24 at 6 p.m. (ET).