Ferris State Survives Overtime Classic Against Ashland To Stay Perfect This Year

Postgame Highlights 
Postgame Interview 

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's basketball squad survived yet another big regional test on Saturday (Nov. 20) as the Bulldogs escaped with a hard-fought 85-73 overtime victory over the Ashland Eagles at FSU's Jim Wink Arena.

The Bulldogs built a 35-30 halftime lead, only to see the Eagles come back and grab a 14-point advantage with 10:53 remaining. FSU stormed back, though, and had the lead late in regulation before the Eagles came up with a key turnover to force overtime.

In the extra session, the Bulldogs scored 14 of the 16 points to move to 4-0 on the year. All four wins have been against strong regional competition.

Senior guard Walt Kelser led the Bulldogs once again with a game-high 26 points and he added eight rebounds, three assists and two steals in 37 minutes of work.

Senior big man Logan Ryan totaled 14 points on seven-of-eight shooting for FSU while adding a team-high nine rebounds and a pair of blocked shots. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs also received 13 points from senior forward Dorian Aluyi.

The Bulldogs shot 51.7% for the afternoon and went 15-of-18 (83.3%) at the free throw stripe, including seven-of-eight (87.5%) in overtime. FSU finished eight-of-21 (38.1%) from long range.

Defensively, the Bulldogs limited the Eagles to 39% shooting with AU finishing seven-of-25 (28%) beyond the three-point arc and 12-of-13 (92.3%) at the line.

Standout Brandon Haraway led the Eagles with 20 points and seven assists while Ethan Conley chipped in with 14 points and 10 rebounds in a double-double effort. AU also got 13 points off the bench from Evan Bainbridge and 11 points by Aaron Thompson.

The contest was a rematch of last year's GLIAC Tournament Quarterfinal game won by the Eagles before they departed for the Great Midwest Athletic Conference.

As part of Saturday's game, the Bulldogs honored and celebrated their 2018 NCAA Division II National Championship team at halftime as part of a special event to celebrate the new national championship mural inside Wink Arena.

Ferris State will hit the road for another regional road tilt on Tuesday (Nov. 23) as FSU takes on Findlay at Croy Gymnasium in Findlay, Ohio. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. (ET).