Ferris State Women's Basketball Jumps In Front Early In League-Opening Setback

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University women's basketball squad battled visiting Lake Erie much of the way despite an injury-depleted lineup, but came out on the short end of a 66-45 decision on Thursday (Dec. 3) night in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) play.

The Bulldogs led 17-14 at the end of the opening quarter against the visiting Storm in the conference opener at the Big Rapids High School gymnasium before Lake Erie bounced back to notch the win.

The Storm took advantage in a strong second-quarter to build a 30-21 halftime lead and maintained the margin after both teams totaled 17 points in the third. However, LEC outscored FSU 19-7 in the final frame to account for the final margin.

Ferris State played only seven players much of the way due to injuries and had only eight in uniform for the league-opening tilt. Seven of the eight played 15 minutes or more in the setback.
Sophomore center Rachel McInerney helped the Bulldogs out to the early lead and had a strong showing with 15 points and a game-high 14 rebounds. She was joined in double-digits by freshman forward Abby Nakfoor, who also scored 15 points and pulled down six boards.

Ferris State freshman guard Alexis Bush added six points while junior forward Joslyn Nicholson contributed five points and grabbed five rebounds. 

The Bulldogs were offset by 35 turnovers and held to only 37.8% shooting overall. FSU sank one-of-11 three's, but did hit on 10-of-13 (76.9%) free throws.

On the Lake Erie side, the Storm were led by Kayla Gabor, who had 15 points. Shelby Carpenter had 14 points and Kaeding Skelton added nine points.

Lake Erie converted on 42.1% of its field goals and went six-of-18 (33.3%) from the three-point stripe along with 12-of-19 (63.2%) at the line.

Ferris State did outrebound the Storm 38-27 for the game and led three different times in the first half. The Bulldogs grabbed nine offensive boards and came up with 15 assists, six steals and two blocks.

Meanwhile, Lake Erie netted 19 steals, 16 assists and four blocks with 18 turnovers of its own.
Ferris State hosts nationally 13th-ranked Ashland in GLIAC play on Saturday (Dec. 5) at Big Rapids High School. Game time is set for 3 p.m. (ET).