Ferris State Closes Strong In Home Win Over Northern Michigan To Stay On Top Of The GLIAC

Postgame Highlights & Interview 

Big Rapids, Mich. - The nation's eighth-ranked Ferris State University men's basketball squad made the plays down the stretch and moved back into sole possession of first place in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) standings with an 85-79 league home win over Northern Michigan on Thursday (Jan. 23) evening inside FSU's Jim Wink Arena.

The Bulldogs had only five turnovers in the game sank 21-of-29 (72.4%) free throws while improving to 18-2 overall and 8-1 in conference play.

With the win, FSU now owns a one-game lead over both Michigan Tech and Lake Superior State in the league standings while NMU is two games back.

Ferris State got a game-high 20 points from senior guard Ethan Erickson while junior Tyler Hamilton had a big night with 19 points to help the FSU cause. The Bulldogs also got 15 points off the bench from freshman Jaxson Whitaker along with 12 by senior Reece Hazelton, who had a pair of big late baskets for the Bulldogs. Finally, junior Mykel Bingham also reached double-figures, posting a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

The Bulldogs converted at a 48.3% clip from the floor and went six-of-19 (31.6%) from three-point range.

Meanwhile, the Wildcats finished shooting 40.6% overall and connected on nine-of-28 (32.1%) three's along with 14-of-21 (66.7%) free throws. NMU had 10 turnovers and was outscored 14-10 in points off turnovers by the Bulldogs, however the Wildcats did finish with a 43-37 rebounding advantage, which included 13 offensive boards and a 17-4 edge in second chance scoring.

NMU was led by Dylan Kuehl with 19 points while Sam Privet scored 12 points and Julien Smith chipped in 11 points as the Wildcats dropped to 12-5 overall and 6-3 in the GLIAC.

Ferris State will host Michigan Tech in another key league battle on Saturday (Jan. 25) with tipoff set for 3 p.m. (ET) inside Wink Arena. It will be Kids Day and all youth ages 12 and under will be admitted free at the door. In addition, the Bulldogs will honor the school's NCAA Division II National Championship football squad at halftime.