Ferris Flys Past Lewis In Wink Arena Opener
Big Rapids, Mich. – Balanced scoring, strong shooting and
the home-court advantage helped the Ferris State University
women’s basketball squad post its first victory of the
2009-10 campaign on Tuesday (Nov. 24) as the Bulldogs defeated
regional foe Lewis (Ill.) by a 74-66 count inside Jim Wink Arena at
Big Rapids.
FSU earned the win in its home opener as four players reached
double-figure scoring. The Bulldogs also shot 55.1% (27-49) from
the floor and converted 20-of-26 (76.9%) free throws in improving
to 1-2 overall this season.
Ferris took a five-point lead only six minutes into the contest
and led by the same margin at halftime after limiting the Flyers to
only 36.4% (8-22) shooting in the initial frame. The score was tied
(50-50) with 7:42 to play, but FSU closed the game on a 24-16 run
in snapping a four-game series’ losing streak versus
Lewis.
The score changed hands three times in the game, however, Lewis
never led in the final 12 minutes of the contest. LU dropped
to 0-2 overall this year with the setback.
Junior guard Becci Houdek paced the Bulldogs with
a game-high tying 14 points and added six assists in directing the
FSU offense. Junior Tiara Adams chipped in with 13
points, three assists and three steals while sophomore guard
Lindsey Pettit added a personal career-high 13
points to go with a pair of helpers. The Bulldogs also received a
12-point and six rebound effort from junior forward Amy
Joostberns.
Neither team shot the ball well from beyond the three-point line
as the Bulldogs finished 0-of-6 for the game and the Flyers were
5-of-26 (19.2%), including missing all 11 tries in the first half.
Lewis made 13-of-20 (65%) free throws, but was also outrebounded
35-32 by the Bulldogs.
Ferris’ victory was also aided by its ability to limit its
own turnovers as FSU finished with 17 miscues after averaging 28.5
turnovers in its initial two outings of the year last weekend.
Defensively, the Bulldogs came up with seven steals on 14 Flyer
turnovers.
Kady Currin was the Flyers’ leading point getter in the game
with 14 points while Kelly Dianis added 11 points and Devon
Carbaugh tallied 10 points.
FSU owned a 14-7 edge in fast break scoring and totaled 48 points
in the paint compared to only 30 for Lewis. Ferris’ bench
also outscored the Flyer reserves by a 21-18 margin.
The home-opening win was FSU’s fourth victory in its last
five home openers at Wink Arena. Overall, the Bulldogs have claimed
a win eight times in the last 11 seasons in their initial home
contest.
After breaking for the Thanksgiving holiday, the Bulldogs will
return to the floor for their 2009-10 Great Lakes Intercollegiate
Athletic Conference (GLIAC) opener against archrival Grand Valley
State next Monday (Nov. 30) evening inside Wink Arena. Tipoff for
the “Big Monday” matchup is set for 6 p.m. (EST) with
the men’s game to follow.
Bulldog Bites: The Flyers were picked to
finish second in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) Preseason
North Division Poll with four starters and nine letterwinners back
from a 16-13 team that advanced to the GLVC Tournament Semifinals
last season ……… The Bulldogs utilized 10
different players in the game, including a two-sport athlete in
freshman guard Ashley Huntey, who saw her first
action after joining the team following the conclusion of
Ferris’ volleyball season which ended in the NCAA Division II
Midwest Regional Tournament last Thursday ………
Sophomore guard Tricia Principe had a solid
all-around game with eight rebounds, five points and four assists
despite taking attempting only one field goal …… FSU
freshmen post players Katy Fox and Leah
Kebler combined for eight points and six rebounds off the
bench …… Ferris improved to 3-2 all-time against the
Flyers in Big Rapids and evened the series’ at five wins
apiece ……… The game featured a “Bond
with Basketball” promotion as high school teams from Big
Rapids, Reed City, White Cloud and Newaygo were on hand for a team
building experience prior to the start of the prep season and took
part in various shooting contests throughout the night
…… The announced attendance was listed as 497 for the
game … The Bulldogs recorded 18 assists with four players
dishing out two or more.