Bulldog Men Stay Unbeaten In GLIAC After Saturday Home Victory

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's basketball squad remained unbeaten in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) action as the Bulldogs completed a two-game weekend homestand with a 92-87 win over Ashland on Saturday (Dec. 7) afternoon at FSU's Jim Wink Arena.

The Bulldogs bolted out to a 43-36 halftime edge and withstood an early second-half run by the Eagles to post their second consecutive victory.

FSU received a balanced effort in the victory as six Bulldog players reached double-figure scoring in the triumph. Sophomore forward Josh Fleming led the way with a team-best 16 points while adding six rebounds, two assists and a steal.

In addition to Fleming's effort, sophomore guard Jibreel Jackson tallied 14 points with four boards and two assists after missing Thursday night's win over Lake Erie in the GLIAC opener. He was followed by both junior guard Drew Lehman and sophomore forward Matt Poches, who each had 13 points.

The Bulldogs also received 11 points apiece from junior guard Dietrich Lever and sophomore center Jared Stolicker in the win. Stolicker totaled a game-high tying seven rebounds with two assists and two blocked shots.

FSU shot 52.5% from the floor and sank seven-of-19 three's (36.8%) while making 21-of-31 (67.7%) free throws. 

Meanwhile, Ashland hit on 55% of its field goal tries, including a 61.3% clip in the second half on 19-of-31 shooting.  The Eagles also sank 11-of-17 (64.7%) long range attempts, but were only 10-of-22 (45.5) at the charity stripe.

Cole Krizancic paced the Eagles with a game-high 25 points, which included six-of-seven three's. He had 16 points in the first half of action.

Along with Krizancic, Ashland had four others score in double-digits with Boo Osborne netting 13 points, Brook Turson totaling 12 points and Will Evans posting 11 points. DaWuan Thomas contributed 10 points in the setback.

Ferris State owned a slim 33-32 rebounding edge and had eight offensive boards, including a key offensive rebound that led to two free throws in the closing seconds. FSU had 11 second chance points to only five for the Eagles.

The Bulldogs also forced 13 Ashland turnovers while posting only six of their own. That helped FSU own a 20-12 margin in points off miscues. Both teams finished with four steals each and Ferris State came away with five blocked shots to only one for the visitors.

Ball distribution was a key for the Bulldogs as FSU tallied 16 assists in the game, including four from Lever and three by sophomore Milton Cribbs. 

Ferris State received key contributions off the bench as FSU totaled 28 points from its reserves in a game that featured seven lead changes and was tied seven times.

The Bulldogs improved to 2-3 overall and 2-0 in the GLIAC with the victory while Ashland fell to 2-3 overall and 0-2 in league play.

FSU is next back in action on sunday, Dec. 15, as the Bulldogs open a two-game league road swing against Ohio Dominican. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. (ET) in Columbus, Ohio.