Ferris State Falls In Close Regional Road Decision At Maryville

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University women's basketball team took the Maryville Saints to the wire in non-league regional action on Saturday (Dec. 29), but came up on the short end of a 80-76 decision in St. Louis, Mo.

The host Saints took a five-point lead after the first quarter and held a two-point edge at halftime before eventually outscoring FSU by only two points in the final half.

Maryvill earned its seventh win of the campaign by shooting 42% overall and hitting 10-of-26 (38.5%) three's against FSU. The Saints went 10-of-17 (58.8%) at the line.

FSU got a team-high 21 points from senior guard Alexis Bush along with 16 by junior forward Lilly George. Fellow junior forward Brayene Benner added 13 points and Jalynn Brumfield contributed 10 points off the bench.

Sophomore guard Shaniya Huggins dished out 10 assists to help the FSU cause with the Bulldogs netting 25 assists overall. FSU also had seven steals and four blocked shots.

The Saints held a slim 40-39 rebounding edge and got a team-high 22 points from Stephanie Sherwood along with 14 from Hunter Stidham and 13 by Mary Burton.

Meanwhile, the Bulldogs shot at a 52% clip from the floor, but were only two-of-10 (20%) from three-point land and 10-of-22 (45.5%) at the line.

FSU dropped to 6-4 overall this season with the loss in its first outing since Dec. 8.

Ferris State will resume GLIAC play on the road Thursday (Jan. 3) as FSU visits archrival Grand Valley State for a 6 p.m. (ET) league showdown in Allendale. FSU will then host Davenport on Saturday (Jan. 5) at 1 p.m. (ET) in Big Rapids.