Strong Start & Big Finish Lift Walsh Past FSU In Women's Basketball Play

Strong Start & Big Finish Lift Walsh Past FSU In Women's Basketball Play

Canton, Ohio - A strong start and a big finish lifted the Walsh Cavaliers to a 58-41 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) victory over the Ferris State University women's basketball squad on Saturday (Jan. 9) at Alumni Arena in North Canton, Ohio.

The host Cavaliers stretched a single-digit lead starting the final quarter to as many as 22 points by outscoring FSU 21-13 in the final frame en route to the win. It came after FSU had battled Walsh virtually even in the middle two periods after WU jumped out to a 15-8 first-quarter lead.

With the win, Walsh improved to 9-4 overall and 6-2 in the GLIAC while FSU fell to 3-5 in conference action.

Ferris State was led by junior forward Joslyn Nicholson, who netted 11 points. However, she was the lone player to reach double-figure scoring for FSU as the Bulldogs shot only 31.3% from the floor and 14.3% (2-14) from three-point range. FSU also made nine-of-13 (69.2%) free throws.

Along with Nicholson, sophomore center Rachel McInerney totaled eight points and seven rebounds for FSU with forward Alexis Huntey totaling seven points and seven boards.

Walsh was paced by senior guard Kelsey Funderburgh, who hit for a game-high 19 points in the triumph. Brittni Clopton added 10 points for the hosts, who shot 39% overall and went four-of-20 (20%) from downtown. Walsh also sank eight-of-14 (57.1%) free throws.

Turnovers hampered the Bulldogs as FSU finished with 28 overall and was outscored 25-8 in points off miscues. The Cavaliers had 16 turnovers and came up with 17 steals.

Ferris State did manage to outrebound Walsh 38-36 for the day and both teams came up with 15 offensive boards leading to six points apiece. But, Walsh scored 11 points in transition on the break to only two for FSU and never trailed in the outing.

Finally, Ferris State finished with 10 assists, seven steals and a blocked shot. WU had 17 assists and three blocks to go with its 17 steals.

Ferris State returns home to host Michigan Tech on Thursday, Jan. 14, starting at 6 p.m. (ET) inside Jim Wink Arena. FSU then hosts Northern Michigan on Saturday, Jan. 16, starting at 3 p.m. (ET).