Ferris State Stays On Top Of GLIAC By Winning Overtime Thriller Over Rival GVSU

Contribution by Cody Carlson
FerrisStateBulldogs.com

Postgame Interview w/Coach Bronkema
Video Highlights 

Allendale, Mich. - The nationally 22nd-ranked Ferris State University men's basketball squad maintained its first place hold in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) standings by pulling out an exciting 96-85 overtime victory over archrival Grand Valley State on Monday (Feb. 2) night inside GVSU's Fieldhouse Arena in Allendale.

In a game that featured 13 lead changes and was tied 12 times, the Bulldogs finally seized control in overtime and outscored GVSU 25-14 over the final extra minutes to record the victory.

Second-year head coach Andy Bronkema's squad improved to 18-3 overall and a league-best 14-1 in GLIAC competition as he notched his first career victory in the West Michigan rivalry matchup. The win marks the Bulldogs' 18th victory in their last 19 contests this year to date. GVSU dropped to 9-12 overall this season and 5-10 in league play with its sixth-straight setback.

Action was back and fourth most of the night with strong defense and physical play on both sides in the storied rivalry. The Bulldogs led by eight points in the opening half before the Lakers cut the margin to 29-27 going in to halftime on a Ricardo Carbajal three-pointer as time expired.

In the second half, GVSU jumped in front by a bucket, but FSU freshman guard Drew Cushingberry connected on a three-pointer to help the Bulldogs regain the lead. Shortly after, Cushingberry found senior guard Drew Lehman for a basket to push the Bulldogs' lead to 40-37 with 13:51 left to play.

Moving forward, the Lakers and Bulldogs would continue to exchange blows as FSU junior forward Josh Fleming nailed his third triple of the evening to give FSU a four-point edge. However, the Lakers responded with a layup to cut the Bulldogs' lead to 54-52 with 8:23 left in the game.

After FSU tied things back up on a jumper from junior center Jared Stolicker, Grand Valley State's Luke Ryskamp found the bucket and drew a foul to give GVSU a 62-59 lead with 4:23 to play. The Bulldogs would quickly regain the lead, though, at 63-62 after a basket from Fleming and two Stolicker free throws.

With under three minutes to play in regulation, GVSU moved in front 67-63 on a jumper from Ryskamp and a three-pointer from Darren Kapustka, but FSU again responded with a pair of Fleming free throws followed by a defensive stop and a layup from junior forward James Chappell to knot the contest up with two minutes to go.

From there, a pair of free throws by Kapustka gave the Lakers a 69-67 lead before FSU tied the game back up on a basket from Lehman inside. GVSU followed with an interior bucket from big man Darren Washington before Lehman scored again with 48 seconds left to tie up the game.

After Lehman's basket, the Bulldogs forced a shot clock violation and had the final possession in regulation. However, a potential game-winner from junior guard Jabreel Jackson came up short as time expired, which resulted in FSU's second overtime game in the last four days.

In the extra session, the Bulldogs wasted little time in surging ahead as they scored the first seven points with key defensive stops, which included taking two charges, along with timely offensive baskets. Two of those points came from Lehman at the stripe following a technical foul assessed to the Lakers' bench.

The Bulldogs kept the pedal down as they pushed their lead to 83-71 with 3:04 left in overtime following another Fleming triple.

Then, with 40 seconds remaining, any chances of a GVSU comeback were all but dashed as an intentional foul was called on the Lakers on a play near halfcourt. The call led to a pair of technical fouls against Grand Valley State head coach Ric Wesley, who was ejected from the contest. The Bulldogs then proceeded to knock down six-straight free throws as Lehman hit all four tries from the charity stripe on the technical free throws and Chappell followed by sinking both intentional foul free throws.

The Bulldogs would ultimately outscore the Lakers 25-14 in the extra session, which included making 13-of-18 free throws in overtime.

Ferris State finished the night shooting 43.8% from the floor, while connecting on 12-of-31 (38.7%) from the three-point line. The Bulldogs also hit 28-of-39 (71.8%) overall from the charity stripe.

Meanwhile, the host Lakers shot 45% from the field and connected on 8-of-18 (44.4%) triples on the night. GVSU finished the contest shooting 23-of-29 (79.3%) at the line.

The Bulldogs were led by Lehman, who finished the contest with 25 points and added five rebounds and three assists. Fleming played a key role down the stretch for the Bulldogs and totaled 21 points and six boards. Meanwhile, Chappell and senior guard Dietrich Lever both added 12 points while Lever dished out a squad-best eight assists.

GVSU was led by Ryskamp, who connected on five triples to finish up with a game-high 29 points. GVSU's Ryan Sabin added 20 points while Washington also scored in double figures with 10 points on the night.

The Bulldogs outrebounded the Lakers 40-35 for the game, which included 12 offensive boards to seven for GVSU, resulting in a 14-2 edge in second chance production. Stolicker grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds for FSU while Chappell pulled down seven to go with six from Fleming.

In addition to the success on the offensive glass, FSU also forced 17 GVSU turnovers and held a slim 18-16 advantage in points off turnovers. The Lakers outscored FSU 34-20 in the paint for the night.

Finally, Ferris State finished with seven steals, five blocked shots and 18 assists with GVSU totaling seven steals, six blocks and 20 helpers overall.

The matchup was the first of two meetings for the West Michigan rivals this campaign as GVSU will visit Ferris State for the regular-season finale in Big Rapids on Feb. 26.

With the win, FSU remains a game ahead of both Lake Superior State and Saginaw Valley State atop the GLIAC standings with seven games remaining in the regular season.

Ferris State returns home to Jim Wink Arena later this week to host Michigan Tech on Thursday (Feb. 5) night at 8 p.m. (ET) and Northern Michigan on Saturday (Feb. 7) afternoon starting at 3 p.m. Fans are encouraged to wear red for Thursday's game against the Huskies to help support the Bulldogs and "American Heart Month". Thursday's league doubleheader will also include special recognition at halftime for the Bulldogs' fall championship football and volleyball programs.