Men's Basketball Falls In Regional Tilt At Lewis

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's basketball squad suffered a 62-44 setback to regional foe Lewis (Ill.) in a non-league road game on Saturday (Nov. 19) afternoon at Neil Carey Arena in Romeoville, Ill.

The Bulldogs, who were facing a Division II team for the first time this year after back-to-back games against NCAA Division I schools, dropped to 0-3 overall this season while Lewis improved to 2-0 on the year.

Junior guard Kenny Brown (Farmington Hills/Harrison) and senior forward Jerrell Sanders (Grand Rapids/Creston) both had 11 points apiece to pace the Bulldogs.

Lewis led 26-15 at halftime and outscored the Bulldogs 36-29 over the final 20 minutes to earn the victory at home.

The Flyers held FSU without a field goal in the first 10 minutes of the regional showdown and limited FSU to only 26.9% (14-52) shooting from the floor for the contest.

Lewis was paced by senior point guard Chris McClellan's game-high 17 points with Ryan Jackson adding 14 points and David Bryant chipping in 10 points.

LU also outrebounded the Bulldogs by a 43-31 count for the day with senior center Marty Strus pulling down a contest-best nine boards.

In addition to shooting just 26.9%, the Bulldogs were also only seven-of-26 (26.9%) from beyond the three-point arc and nine-of-19 (47.4%) at the free throw stripe. 

FSU totaled eight assists and had five steals with two blocked shots while turning the ball over 17 times on the afternoon.

Overall, the Flyers converted 45.8% (22-48) of their field goal tries and hit five-of-14 (35.7%) three's along with 13-of-19 (68.4%) free throws.

Lewis finished with 19 turnovers and had nine assists, seven steals and four blocks in the outing.

Ferris State never led in the game and the Bulldogs were outscored 28-14 in points off turnovers.  The Flyer reserves also contributed 24 points to only 14 for the Bulldog players who came off the bench.

The Bulldogs return to Big Rapids and will host Olivet in their 2011-12 home opener on Tuesday (Nov. 22) evening at Jim Wink Arena.  Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. (ET).

A complete recap is coming soon!