Sizzling First Half Gives Ferris State Decisive Win & First Place In GLIAC North

Big Rapids, Mich. - A sizzling first half lifted the Ferris State University men's basketball squad into sole possession of first place in the GLIAC North Division as the Bulldogs sprinted past visiting Northwood 91-59 on Saturday (Jan. 14) for their eighth consecutive victory.

Ferris State shot 65% from the floor in the opening half while building a decisive 56-28 intermission edge over the Timberwolves and cruised to the triumph as they topped the 80-plus point mark for the eighth consecutive game and nearly scored 100 points for the fourth time in the past five games.

With the win, FSU improved to 13-3 overall and 7-2 in the GLIAC while taking over first place in the divisonal standings. NU dropped to 4-14 overall and 2-7 in conference play.

Freshman guard D'Angelo Hughes gave the Bulldogs a big spark in the opening half as he drilled four three-pointers and finished with a team-high 16 points off the bench on five-of-seven shooting. 

Hughes wasn't the only Bulldog player who had a big day as Ferris State also received 15 points from junior forward Noah King, who also knocked down four three's, in addition to 11 points from senior guard Quentin Ruff. Overall, 11 different FSU players tallied five points or more in the balanced victory.

Ferris State shot 51% overall for the day and connected on 12-of-25 (48%) three's while making 19-of-25 (76%) free throws. 

Defensively, the Bulldogs also limited Northwood to only 29% shooting for the game. NU went four-of-25 (16%) from long range and 15-of-20 (75%) at the line.

The Timberwolves were led by Matt Crowl, who finished with 12 points. P.J. Weaver added 10 points, but those were the only two NU players to reach double-figures in the setback.

Turnovers also proved to be a difference as Ferris State netted only seven on the day and outscored NU 21-6 in points off turnovers. Northwood totaled 11 miscues in the loss.

Overall, FSU outrebounded Northwood 41-40 for the game, but NU did have 16 offensive caroms to seven for Ferris State. 

The Bulldogs had a big day defensively with 12 blocked shots, including eight from sophomore center Zach Hankins, along with nine steals. FSU also tallied 23 assists, which included four apiece from junior guard Drew Cushingberry and redshirt freshman guard Greg Williams.

Ferris State never trailed after Northwood scored the opening basket of the game and the Bulldogs built a lead of as many as 38 points in the notching the dominating win. FSU outscored NU 25-13 on the break as the Bulldogs controlled the pace of play.

FSU will square off against Saginaw Valley State in a rematch of last year's NCAA Division II Midwest Regional Championship Game on Thursday, Jan. 14, with tipoff set for 8 p.m. (ET) in University Center, Mich. Ferris State then returns home to host Wayne State next Saturday (Jan. 16) in a 3 p.m. (ET) GLIAC tilt at Wink Arena.