Bulldogs Bolt By Great Lakes Christian In Home Opener

Postgame Highlights & Interview 

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's basketball team opened its 2022-23 home schedule with a 114-70 victory over the Great Lakes Christian Crusaders in the Bulldogs' own Thanksgiving Classic during opening day play on Tuesday (Nov. 22) inside Jim Wink Arena.

Ferris State opened the game shooting it 50 percent from beyond the arc (8-16) and 52.8 percent from the field in the opening half to build a 54-37 lead over the Crusaders. The Bulldogs heated up further in the second half, going 7-12 from deep (58.3%) and 20-34 from the fioor (58.8%) to run away in the second half by a 60-33 margin over the Crusaders.

In all, all 11 Bulldogs that played scored points, with six reaching double figures, including three off the bench. The Bulldog bench (54 points) nearly matched the starters (58 points) in a balanced attack.

Ferris State sophomore guard Ethan Erickson led the way, coming off the bench and scoring 20 points. He only shot field goals from beyond the arc where he went 6-9 (66.6%), adding two free throws. Ferris State also got 16 points out of redshirt junior Dolapo Olayinka, 14 each out of redshirt junior Ben Davidson and redshirt sophomore Solomon Oraegbu, and 10 points from redshirt freshman Nathan Claerbaut and sophomore Mykel Bingham.

The Bulldogs dominated the glass, pulling down 53 rebounds to GLC's 20. Ferris State got nine boards out of Bingham to lead the way, while Davidson and Oraegbu each had seven. A total of 10 of Ferris State's 11 players that appeared registered at least one rebound.

Ferris State also had 32 assists to Great Lakes Christian's 17, as the Bulldogs got six helpers from Davidson and redshirt junior Amari Lee. Lee also led the Bulldogs with four steals off the bench.

At the line, the Bulldogs were an efficient 21-23 (91.3%) while offfering the Crusaders just nine trips to the line where they went 8-9.

The Crusaders were led in scoring by Kylan Shipp's 16 points. TQ Belcher added 14 off the bench for Great Lakes Christian.

Ferris State wraps up the Thanksgiving Classic with a battle with longtime foe Ashland on Wednesday night (Nov. 23) at 7 p.m. (ET) inside Jim Wink Arena.