Quick Start Leads Southern Indiana Past FSU In Bellarmine Classic Finale

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University women's basketball squad wrapped up action in the Bellarmine Classic with a 66-48 setback to the University of Southern Indiana on Sunday (Dec. 20) at Knights Hall in Louisville, Ky.

USI, which improved to 9-1 overall this year with the win, jumped out to a quick start with a 12-0 run to open the game and FSU was forced to play catchup the rest of the way. The Bulldogs finally stopped the game-opening run in the regional tilt as they got on the board thanks to sophomore guard Hannah Evo in the opening frame.

 On both ends of the court, newcomer and senior forward Alexis Huntey led the Bulldogs with a double-double of 15 points and 14 rebounds. It marked only her second collegiate contest as she made her hoops debut for FSU at the Bellarmine Classic on Saturday after leading the Bulldogs to the NCAA Division II Sweet Sixteen and second-straight GLIAC Championship as a volleyball standout this fall.

Sophomore forward Rachel McInerney had 12 points and eight rebounds for the Bulldogs and claimed all-tournament team laurels following the conclusion of the tournament. Along with Huntey and McInerney, freshman Alexis Bush added nine points for the Bulldogs.

Despite the setback, Ferris State did have an advantage in bench scoring, as the Bulldogs' reserves outscored the Screaming Eagles' 27-10 in the contest.

For the second consecutive night, though, turnovers plagued the Bulldogs, as Ferris State finished with 21 overall.

The Screaming Eagles never trailed in the contest, as Morgan Dahlstrom led the way with 15 points. Tanner Marcum also had 14 points, while Randa Harshbarger finished with 10 points.

Ferris State battled back and finished even in the rebound battle with USI as the two teams had 41 rebounds each.

Southern Indiana held the Bulldogs to only 33.3% shooting overall and FSU went just two-of-13 (15.4%) from three-point range. Ferris State sank six-of-seven (85.7%) free throws.

On the USI side, the Screaming Eagles converted 41% of their field goals and made six-of-15 (40%) three's along with 10-of-17 (59%) free throws. USI totaled 15 turnovers on its end and never trailed after the early run to start the game.

With the loss, Ferris State falls to 2-8 overall, but remains in the middle of the GLIAC standings at 2-2 after a pair of wins in Ohio in league action last week.

The Bulldogs are off until Dec. 30 when they take on Western Michigan University in an exhibition game in Kalamazoo starting at 7 p.m. (ET).

FSU then returns home to Jim Wink Arena in Big Rapids to resume GLIAC play on Saturday, Jan. 2, against the University of Findlay in a 1 p.m. (ET) league tilt.