Bulldogs Battle Divisional Leader Saginaw Valley State In Tight Home Setback

Big Raids, Mich. - A late charge by the Ferris State University women's basketball team fell just short as the Bulldogs fell 71-64 to the Saginaw Valley State Cardinals on Thursday (Feb. 2) at Wink Arena.

Ferris State was led in scoring by freshman guard Renee Sturm, who poured in a season-high 20 points and shot 80 percent from the field.

The first half was tightly contest with the Cardinals and Bulldogs playing to a 16-16 deadlock through the opening quarter. A late three-pointer by the Cardinals gave them a 34-31 halftime lead.

The difference in the game was a 25-12 edge for the Cardinals in the third frame, where the Bulldogs shot 37.5 percent with no trips to the charity stripe to the Cardinals' 62.5 percent from the floor while going 4-of-4 at the free throw line.  

Ferris State made a late bid to battle back, outscoring Saginaw Valley State 21-12 in the final quarter, but fell seven points shy.

Sophomore guard Alexis Bush added 12 points and shot 2-of-2 from beyond the arc with a game-high six assists for the Bulldogs. 

The Cardinals were led by Emily Wendling's 25 points as the forward shot 8-of-14 from the field and 9-of-10 from the free-throw line. Wendling also led SVSU in rebounding with 11 while Halee Nieman had 15 points and 10 rebounds for the contest.

On the glass, the Bulldogs were out-rebounded 41-37 overall. Junior forward Rachel McInerney had a team-best seven for the Bulldogs with junior guard Leah Humes adding five. Four of McInerney's rebounds came on the offensive glass.

Defensively, redshirt freshman forward Riley Blair had a game-high five steals to go with eight points in the game.

For the game, Ferris State shot 39.7 percent while Saginaw Valley State shot 40.7 percent.

Ferris State heads to Detroit next to take on the Wayne State Warriors on Saturday (Feb. 4) at 1 p.m. (ET). 

Following Saturday's game, the Bulldogs will then play four of their final five regular-season games at home inside Wink Arena.