Ferris State Men's Basketball Races Past St. Joseph's To Move To 4-0 This Year

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's basketball squad stepped up to remain unbeaten on the year as the Bulldogs came from behind in the final period to beat St. Joseph's (Ind.) 102-86 in a high-scoring tilt on Saturday evening (Nov. 21) inside FSU's Jim Wink Arena.

The Bulldogs beat their fourth Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) opponent in as many tries this campaign to move to 4-0 on the year with the triumph over the Pumas in FSU's 2015-16 home opener.

Ferris State fell behind for much of the first half as the Pumas shot 89% from three-point range in the opening 20 minutes of play, leading to a nine-point advantage in one stretch and a 50-46 halftime lead.

However, in the second half, Ferris State tallied 56 points and limited SJC to only 36 points as the Bulldogs allowed the Pumas to make only three-of-11 (27.3%) long range tries in the final 20 minutes of play.

FSU received a big performance from its senior frontline trio of center Jared Stolicker and forwards Josh Fleming and James Chappell. The trio combined for 63 points, 23 rebounds, 10 blocked shots, eight assists and three steals in keying the Bulldog attack.

Fleming scored a game-high 22 points to go with a team-high tying nine rebounds, four assists and three steals in 35 minutes of work. Meanwhile, Stolicker added 21 points, nine boards and eight blocked shots while Chappell tallied 20 points, five boards and two assists.

Along with the high-scoring trio, the Bulldogs received 10 points off the bench from guard Quentin Ruff, who hit three second-half treys and helped fill in for senior guard Jibreel Jackson, who left with an injury and did not return. Sophomore wing Peter Firlik added nine points as did sophomore guard Drew Cushingberry.

On the St. Joseph's side, Nick Jeffirs tallied 20 points with Nathan Tidwell added 15 points. Dawson Gore totaled 14 points and went four-of-four from three-point range while Davious Webster notched 13 points in the setback for the 0-3 Pumas.

Ferris State finished shooting 51.4% from the floor and hit eight-of-20 (40%) three-pointers along with 18-of-26 (69.2%) free throws. FSU had only five turnovers in the contest.

Meanwhile, St. Joseph's shot 46.2% overall, including 11-of-20 (55%) beyond the arc and 15-of-18 (83.3%) at the line. 

The Bulldogs owned a 46-32 rebounding edge and came up with 20 offensive caroms as FSU totaled a 22-11 margin in second chance points. FSU also outscored the Pumas in the paint 55-34 for the game.

Behind Stolicker's performance, FSU came up with 13 blocked shots to only two for St. Joseph's. FSU also had five steals with SJC managing three and the Bulldogs outscored St. Joseph's 14-7 in points off turnovers by forcing 10 in the game.

FSU also distributed the ball well with 29 assists on 38 made baskets. The total included a game-high nine from Cushingberry to go with five by sophomore Noah King and four from Jackson. 

Ferris State will be back in action on Tuesday (Nov. 24) evening at home as the Bulldogs host Cedarville (Ohio) in regional non-conference action. The women's game will tipoff first at 5:30 p.m. (ET) with the men's game to follow at approximately 7:30 p.m. (ET).