#5 Ferris State Wins 20th Game Of Season By Beating Rival GVSU On The Road

Postgame Highlights 
Postgame Interview 

Allendale, Mich. - The nationally fifth-ranked Ferris State University men's basketball squad pulled out a big rivalry win on Saturday (Jan. 20) night as FSU notched its 20th victory of the season with a 87-81 win over Grand Valley State at the GVSU Fieldhouse Arena in Allendale.

The Bulldogs held onto solo possession of first place in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) standings as they beat the Lakers on their home floor to improve to 20-1 overall and 10-1 in league action.

The game went back and forth as the Lakers built a slim 43-42 halftime lead before FSU opened the second half and grabbed the advantage. Grand Valley State kept the contest close the entire way before Ferris State came up with several critical plays down the stretch to earn the win.

The victory was the eighth in a row for FSU and came before a crowd of more than 2,000 fans in Allendale.

Ferris State got a team-high 19 points from senior forward Noah King, who went five-of-10 beyond the three-point stripe for the Bulldogs. Junior center Zach Hankins added 16 points and 10 rebounds in a double-double showing.

Additionally, the trio of senior guard Peter Firlik along with senior guard Drew Cushingberry and junior guard DeShaun Thrower combined for 30 points with each scoring 10 apiece in the win.

Ferris State held a decided advantage at the free throw stripe where FSU went 18-of-25 (72%) overall with GVSU going only two-of-four (50%) overall.

From the floor, FSU shot 43% overall and hit seven-of-17 (41.2%) three's. Grand Valley State connected on 45% of its tries from the field and made nine-of-22 (40.9%) from downtown.

The Lakers were led by guard Hunter Hale, who made six three's and finished with 22 points. Point guard Myles Miller added 21 points and eight rebounds for the Lakers, who also got 13 points off the bench from senior Drake Baar along with 10 by freshman Jake Van Tubbergen.

Overall, the Lakers narrowly outrebounded FSU 45-40 for the night and grabbed 14 offensive boards to 13 for FSU in the physical contest. FSU forced 12 turnovers and had only seven of its own with the Bulldogs also netting eight steals and seven blocks to three apiece for the Lakers.

This year now marks the fourth consecutive year in which the Bulldogs have won 20 games or more under head coach Andy Bronkema. FSU's 20 wins currently leads the country.

The Bulldogs will return home for a first-place showdown in the GLIAC against Lake Superior State on Saturday, Jan. 27, inside Jim Wink Arena. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. (ET). Ferris State currently has a one-game lead over LSSU atop the division.

A large crowd is expected for the showdown against Lake Superior State and tickets can be purchased in advance thru the FSU Athletics Ticket Office. Please call (231) 591-2888 for additional information or visit FerrisStateBulldogs.com.