Valiant Comeback Ends Short For Bulldogs In GLIAC Overtime Decision

Postgame Interview 

Big Rapids, Mich. - A valiant comeback came up short for the Ferris State University men's basketball squad as FSU dropped a 80-77 road decision to Purdue Northwest in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) play on Saturday (Feb. 19) in Hammond, Ind.

The host Pride led most of the way in their final home game of the year, but Ferris State fought back down the stretch after Purdue Northwest had built a double-digit advantage.

FSU got a huge three from senior Lee Higgins and a basket from senior Logan Ryan after a steal in the final 30 seconds. The Bulldogs also had a potential game-winning jumper from senior Walt Kelser just miss near the end of regulation.

In overtime, though, the Pride came back and hit a pair of long three's to grab the lead and eventually held on for the win.

FSU was led by Vejas Grazulis, who had a team-high 20 points off the bench. Ryan added 17 points while Higgins scored 11 and Jimmy Scholler added 10 points.

The Bulldogs struggled shooting the ball, hitting only 33% overall from the floor, including a two-of-19 (10.5%) showing from the three-point arc. The Bulldogs did make 23-of-28 (82.1%) free throws.

Purdue Northwest got a team-high 19 points from center Jyrus Freels to go with 16 points by Anthony Barnard. Overall, five PNW players reached double-digits and the Prid made 10-of-28 (35.7%) three's for the afternoon.

With the setback, FSU fell to 20-6 overall and 15-3 in the GLIAC. The Bulldogs are now midst a first-place tie with Michigan Tech atop the conference entering the final week of the regular season.

Ferris State will return home to host MTU on Thursday (Feb. 24) night at 7:30 p.m. (ET) with a share of the GLIAC Championship on the line at Wink Arena. FSU then closes the regular-season at home versus Northern Michigan on Saturday (Feb. 26) at 3 p.m.