FSU

Ferris State Drops League Tilt To Saginaw Valley State In Women's Basketball Action

Postgame Highlights & Interview Video

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University women's basketball team battled hard on Thursday (Feb. 6) evening against Saginaw Valley State in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) play, but fell to the Cardinals 82-68 at Jim Wink Arena.

FSU opened a four-game GLIAC homestand minus several key performers due to injuries and the Cardinals were able to surge in front in the second period. They outscored Ferris State 25-15 in the second frame to build a 40-29 halftime edge.

Ferris State fought back in the second half and after Saginaw Valley State pushed the margin to as many as 19 points midway thru the third period, the Bulldogs eventually pulled back within 10 points. However, the Cardinals held on down the stretch to garner the win and the split with FSU this season.

Despite the loss, the Bulldogs remain tied atop the GLIAC North Division with Parkside as both teams are now 9-5 in the GLIAC.

Senior forward Riley Blair led the Bulldogs with a game-high 28 points and kept FSU close early as the Bulldogs trailed by only a single point following the first quarter of action. She went 10-of-12 from the free throw line in the game and added five rebounds in 37 minutes of work.

The Bulldogs also got 13 points from junior guard Adrienne Anderson in addition to her six rebounds and three assists. Freshman guard Mallory McCartney added 10 points with nine assists, seven rebounds and two steals.

Overall, the Bulldogs shot 42.9% for the game and hit four-of-22 (18.2%) long range tries with a 16-of-22 (72.7%) effort at the line.

Meanwhile, the Cardinals shot 52.8% for the evening and connected on 10-of-28 (35.7%) three's and 16-of-25 (64%) free throws.

Saginaw Valley State was led by Kaitlyn Zarycki's team-high 25 points. Maddie Maloney added 15 points with Tori DePerry scoring 14 points and Maddie Barrie chipping in 11 points.

The Cardinals outrebounded the Bulldogs 36-28 for the evening and held a 13-8 margin in second chance points to go with a 20-11 edge in points off turnovers despite finishing with 18 to only 15 for FSU. Both teams reached double-digits in steals with the Bulldogs compiling 11 to 10 for the Cardinals, helping FSU post a 18-10 advantage in fast break scoring.

Ferris State, which is now 15-7 overall, will host Northwood on Saturday at Jim Wink Arena starting at 3 p.m. (ET).