Bulldogs' Four-Game Win Streak Snapped At Northwood
Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's basketball team started strong, but came out on the short end of a 75-66 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) road decision versus the Northwood Timberwolves on Thursday (Jan. 17) night at the Bennett Sports Center in Midland.
The Bulldogs saw their four-game winning streak snapped despite a game-high 28 points from senior guard Kenny Brown in the contest, which included 16 points in the opening frame.
With the loss, the Bulldogs dropped to 8-7 overall and 7-4 in the GLIAC North as Northwood avenged a pair of losses to FSU during the 2011-12 season when the two teams both claimed a share of the GLIAC North Division title. It snapped the Timberwolves' seven-game series' losing streak to FSU.
Brown was the only Bulldog player in double-digits in the contest while the Timberwolves had four players score in double-figures and were led by Will Bowles with 21 points and 16 rebounds. Andrew VanDierenDonck added 14 points, Cameron Joyce scored 12 points and Booker Stoudmire had 10 points in the NU victory.
Ferris State jumped out to a 24-16 lead with 8:40 remaining in the first half. However, Northwood responded by going on a 9-2 run to take a slim 29-28 lead at the break. The Timberwolves connected on five-of-eight shooting from beyond the arc in the opening 20 minutes.
The Bulldogs led 46-44 with 10:15 remaining in the game, but Northwood scored 13 of the next 16 points to take a 57-49 lead. FSU got back to within three points with 3:05 remaining, but NU responded by scored five straight points to clinch the victory.
For the game, Northwood finished with a season-best 58.3 percent field goal percentage (28-48), thanks in large part to five dunks. NU also went 7-of-17 (41.2 percent) from behind the arc. The Bulldogs finished at 43.6% (24-55) overall and 40% (4-10) from behind the arc.
FSU also struggled at times from the line as the Bulldogs made 14-of-21 (66.7%) overall, but that total included a six-of-six showing from Brown, who entered the game as the nation's number two free throw shooter this season.
Overall, the Bulldogs were outrebounded by a slim 29-28 count, but had 11 offensive caroms to only five for Northwood. FSU also had only eight turnovers and forced 14 Northwood miscues and totaled 10 steals to two thefts for NU. The Timberwolves blocked eight Bulldog shots.
Sophomore guard Dietrich Lever dished out seven assists for the Bulldogs while Drew Lehman had four assists. Both players finished with nine points apiece for the Bulldogs in the league road setback.
Ferris State is back in action Saturday, Jan. 19, as the Bulldogs visit Lake Superior State for a GLIAC contest in Sault Ste. Marie starting at 1 p.m. (ET) inside Bud Cooper Gymnasium. Saturday's game will be aired live by Sunny 97.3 and the Bulldog Sports Network online at FerrisStateBulldogs.com beginning with the Meijer Pregame Show a half-hour prior to tipoff.