Ferris State Men's Basketball Competes Well In Exhibition Setback To #7 Xavier

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's basketball squad fought hard against one of the top teams in the country on Saturday (Nov. 5) before the Bulldogs suffered a 80-56 exhibition setback to Xavier on the road at the Cintas Center in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Xavier, which is ranked seventh in the 2016-17 Associated Press Division I Preseason Poll, led only 35-23 at halftime against the Bulldogs following a back-and-forth first half of action. They then outscored FSU 45-33 over the final 20 minutes to account for the final margin.

Sophomore guard Markese Mayfield led the Bulldogs with 10 points in the decision while FSU also received eight points from junior guard Peter Firlik in the starting lineup. Newcomer Jaylin McFadden added nine points off the bench as a total of 12 different FSU players scored in the game.

On the glass, Mayfield also paced FSU with six rebounds while Firlik, McFadden, sophomore center Zach Hankins and junior guard Noah King totaled four each. Hankins also blocked two shots defensively for FSU.

The Bulldogs shot only 26.5% from the floor against the bigger Musketeers while making three-of-25 (12%) three's and 17-of-22 (77.3%) free throws. 

Xavier was led by Edmond Sumner, who netted 23 points. Trevon Bluiett added 19 points and J.P. Macura scored 16 points for the hosts, who converted 51.8% of their field goals and sank five-of-14 (35.7%) three's. XU also went 17-of-33 (51.5%) at  the charity stripe.

Ferris State was outrebounded slightly by a 47-41 figure, but FSU had only 12 turnovers to 14 for Xavier. FSU also outscored the Division I foe 15-7 in second chance production and received 25 points from the bench to only 13 for XU.

The Bulldogs will be back in action with another exhibition game on Monday (Nov. 7) night against the Detroit Mercy Titans in the Motor City. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. (ET) at historic Calihan Hall in Detroit and the game will be carried live by Sunny 97.3 FM and the Bulldog Sports Network online at FerrisStateBulldogs.com.