Ferris State Keeps Momentum Going By Beating Rival GVSU To Open Weekend

Postgame Interview & Highlights 

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's basketball squad kept its momentum going as the Bulldogs notched their third consecutive victory and fourth in the last five outings with a 68-65 triumph over West Michigan rival Grand Valley State on Friday (Feb. 5) afternoon inside FSU's Jim Wink Arena.

The Bulldogs opened up the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) homestead by topping the Lakers to move to 7-6 overall and 6-4 in the GLIAC this campaign. GVSU fell to 4-4 overall and in league competition.

The two teams will square off again in the weekend finale on Saturday (Feb. 6) with tipoff set for 3 p.m. (ET) in Big Rapids.

Senior forward Michael Peterson of Rockford sparked the Bulldogs early and finished with 19 points, seven rebounds and four steals in 33 minutes of action. His performance included a four-of-seven showing from three-point range.

Along with Peterson, senior guard Walt Kelser added a game-high 20 points for FSU while also pulling down four rebounds and recording three steals and two assists. Sophomore forward Deng Reng chipped in with nine points overall.

Ferris State shot 42% from the floor, but also connected on 10-of-26 (38.5%) three's to go with a 12-of-13 (92.3%) showing at the free throw line. FSU had only 13 turnovers overall compared to 18 for the Lakers.

Meanwhile, Grand Valley State converted 50% of its field goals and went 13-of-16 (81.3%) at the line. However, the Lakers hit on only two-of-17 (11.8%) long range tries.

While GVSU did notch a 35-25 rebounding edge, the Bulldogs also had 10 steals and four blocked shots on the defensive end. FSU dished out 18 assists on 23 baskets.

The Lakers were led by Jake Van Tubbergen's team-high 19 points. Jordan Harris added 16 points with Christian Negron scoring 13 points and Austin Braun chipping in 10 points.

The win was FSU's seventh-straight over the Lakers and 10th in the last 11 matchups between the two West Michigan rivals.

Saturday's game will be carried live by local flagship station Sunny 97.3 FM with pregame coverage starting at 2:30 p.m. A live pay-per-view video webcast will also be available along with live internet audio and statistics at FerrisStateBulldogs.com.