Bulldogs Lead #16 Michigan Tech Most Of The Way In Close Home Defeat

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Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University women's basketball squad led nationally 16th-ranked Michigan Tech most of the way, but fell in the end 80-77 to the visiting Huskies on Thursday (Jan. 11) night in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) play at Jim Wink Arena in Big Rapids.

Overall, FSU led for nearly 36 minutes of the game until a late MTU surge enabled the Huskies to pull ahead. The Bulldogs had opportunities late to even the game or move back in front, but missed three free throws in the final 10 seconds with the game at a one-point difference.

Ferris State opened up a 41-36 halftime lead and led by as many as 13 points with 5:43 remaining in the third period. FSU was up by seven points heading into the final period, but the Huskies outscored the Bulldogs 22-12 in the final stanza to earn the victory.

Senior forward Rachel McInerney had an impressive night for the Bulldogs as she totaled 30 points and 16 rebounds in the setback. Redshirt sophomore guard Riley Blair added 11 points for the game while junior guard Alexis Bush and freshman guard Adrienne Anderson each had nine points in the hard-fought effort.

The Bulldogs made 30-of-64 (46.9%) field goals overall, but converted only five-of-22 (22.7%) tries in the fourth quarter of action. FSU finished 2-of-12 (16.7%) from three-point range and went 15-of-23 (65.2%) at the line.

Meanwhile, the Huskies made 30-of-72 (41.7%) field goals and hit five-of-20 (25%) three's in addition to 15-of-16 (93.8%) free throws, including an eight-of-nine (88.9%) showing in the final period.

Michigan Tech was led by its starting lineup as each reached double-figure scoring in the victory. Brenna Heise totaled 19 points with Kelli Guy adding 17 points. Elizabeth Kelliher scored 16 points, Lindsay Winter had 12 points and Hannah Stoll finished with 10 points overall.

The Bulldogs outrebounded the Huskies 43-35 for the game and both teams grabbed 14 offensive boards with MTU owning a 20-16 edge in second chance scoring. Kelliher paced the Huskies with seven boards while Heise had six. Along with McInerney, FSU got five boards each from senior guard Leah Humes and Anderson.

Ferris State set the tempo as the Bulldogs tallied 20 points on the break to eight for Michigan Tech and notched 48 points in the paint compared to 38 for MTU. But, the Bulldogs had 13 turnovers to 10 for Michigan Tech with the Huskies owning a slim 14-11 margin in points off turnovers.

Overall, the game was tied six times and the lead changed hands four times with Michigan Tech holding the advantage for less than two minutes overall.

Finally, the Bulldogs finished with 21 assists, including six from Humes and five from Bush, to go with seven steals and four blocked shots. MTU netted 20 assists, four steals and three blocks. Winter paced the Huskies' attack with a game-high nine assists.

With the win, MTU improved to 13-2 overall and 7-1 in the GLIAC while FSU is now 8-8 overall and 2-6 in conference action. Five of the Bulldogs' six league losses have all been by five points or less.

The Bulldogs will wrap up the homestand by hosting the Northern Michigan Wildcats on Saturday (Jan. 13) with tipoff set for 3 p.m. (ET) following the men's game inside Jim Wink Arena.