Ferris State Men's Basketball Explodes Past Michigan Tech In League Home Victory

Coach Bronkema Postgame Interview

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's basketball squad broke open a close game with a big second half en route to a convincing 93-61 victory over visiting Michigan Tech on Thursday (Jan. 14) night inside FSU's Jim Wink Arena.

The Bulldogs, who won their 12th game of the year, trailed early in the first half after MTU bolted out to a 15-8 lead, but came back in a big way. FSU took a 46-34 halftime lead and then outscored MTU 47-27 in the final half while building as much as a 35-point lead in the contest.

Ferris State shot 59.4% for the night, including an impressive 68% in the second half. The Bulldogs also knocked down 11-of-23 (47.8%) three's as all 11 players scored and five reached double-digits.

Senior center Jared Stolicker paced FSU with a game-high 19 points and 10 rebounds in another double-double performance while sophomore guard Noah King added 11 points off the bench and hit three long-range shots. The trio of senior forward James Chappell, senior guard Jibreel Jackson and redshirt freshman center Zach Hankins all added 10 points apiece.

By scoring a team-high 19 points, Stolicker also notched his 1,000th career point in the Bulldog victory.

Two other Bulldog players narrowly missed double-figure scoring as both senior forward Josh Fleming and sophomore guard Drew Cushingberry added nine points each. Ferris State made 38-of-64 field goals and hit six-of-14 (42.9%) free throws.

While the offense exploded for 93 points, the defensive pressure also helped FSU speed up the tempo of the game. The Bulldogs forced 22 Michigan Tech turnovers and held a decisive 32-5 edge in points off miscues for the game.

In addition, Ferris State owned a 35-27 rebounding advantage against the Huskies and produced 15 second chance points off of 12 offensive caroms to only three for MTU on its seven offensive boards. Besides Stolicker's 10 boards, Fleming added seven for the Bulldogs.

Defensively, the Bulldogs also came up with 11 steals, including three from Jackson, who also had a game-high tying six assists along with Chappell. Cushingberry added five assists and Fleming totaled four as FSU managed 24 helpers in the game.

On the Michigan Tech side, both Jeff Gregory and Miles Sigh totaled a team-leading 13 points apiece. Kyle Monroe had 10 points and 10 rebounds in a double-double performance while Bryan Heath also chipped in 10 points in the setback as MTU fell to 5-8 overall and 4-5 in the GLIAC.

On the night, the Huskies shot 46% from the floor and also made 11-of-23 (47.8%) three's to match the Bulldogs. Michigan Tech converted four-of-seven (57.1%) free throws.

The Bulldogs, who had 10 turnovers, also came up with four blocked shots and outscored MTU 29-5 on the break. The FSU bench scored 36 points to 18 for Michigan Tech's reserves in the game that featured four first-half lead changes.

MTU finished with 16 assists, seven steals and a single blocked shot for the evening.

With the win, Ferris State improved to 12-3 overall and 6-3 in the GLIAC this season. The win opened GLIAC North Division play for the Bulldogs and was FSU's fourth win in its last five outings to date.

Ferris State also beat Michigan Tech for the 13th time in the last 25 series' matchups.
The Bulldogs wrap up their weekend homestand on Saturday (Jan. 16) as they host former FSU head coach Bill Sall and the Northern Michigan Wildcats at Wink Arena. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. (ET).