FSU Women Claim First League Victory

Big Rapids, Mich. – The Ferris State University women’s basketball team controlled the boards and limited visiting Ashland to only 38.7% shooting in the initial half on its way to a 75-67 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) home win over the Eagles on Thursday (Dec. 3) evening inside Jim Wink Arena.

The Bulldogs picked up their first league win in two tries and improved to 2-3 overall on the year. FSU owned a commanding 47-31 edge on the glass, grabbed 18 offensive boards and held a 22-10 advantage in second chance scoring while posting the win.

“We did a nice job of battling and I’m proud of our effort on the boards tonight,” said FSU head coach Tracey Dorow. “That was an area we really wanted to improve in after Monday night’s game against Grand Valley and I think we did it well.”

Ferris built an eight-point lead with 13:09 to go in the game, but the Eagles battled back to tie the game with 10:47 left. However, FSU never trailed in the second half. FSU led by one with 1:51 to play before sinking five free throws in the final 1:22 to secure the victory.

Four Bulldog players reached double-figure scoring on the night with junior guard Becci Houdek scoring a game-high 20 points on eight-of-14 shooting from the floor. She also connected on four three-point baskets and dished out five assists along with two steals.

Junior forward Tiara Adams added a double-double effort with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Sophomore guard Kelsey DeNoyelles tallied a season-high 15 points and sophomore guard Tricia Principe finished with 12 points, all of which came in the opening half.

“This team is really different from the past in that we might not have the same go-to player we look for every night,” Dorow said. “I really think we have several weapons and that should make it harder to prepare for us because you never know which one it might be.”

The Bulldogs shot 50% (13-26) from the floor in the first half while taking a slim 33-30 halftime lead. FSU was 28-of-60 overall from the floor (46.7%) for the game and nailed seven-of-19 (36.8%) long range attempts along with 12-of-19 (63.2%) free throws.

Ferris dished out 17 assists in the game as Adams, Principe and freshman guard Kylie Muntz all contributed three apiece to go with Houdek’s five assists. While FSU turned the ball over 21 times, the Bulldogs were also able to force 18 Eagle turnovers as Ashland dropped its league opener and fell to 2-2 overall this season.

After shooting only 38.7% (12-31) from the field in the first period, the Eagles finished at 41.3% (26-63) for the game, but made only five-of-20 (25%) three-pointers on the night. Ashland was 10-of-16 (62.5%) at the stripe and totaled 14 assists along with 12 steals.

Three Ashland players scored in double-digits. Rachel Poorman scored a team-best 17 points, Lindsey Gaut compiled 15 points and Elizabeth Tyler posted 14 points.

The Bulldogs were outscored narrowly 24-22 in the paint and 22-16 off turnovers in a game that saw nine lead changes.

Ferris State wraps up its three-game league homestand by hosting the Tiffin Dragons on Saturday (Dec. 5) at Wink Arena. Tipoff is set for 12 p.m. (EST) and will be part of a tripleheader inside the FSU Sports Complex with men’s basketball and hockey taking place later in the afternoon.

Bulldog Bites: Ashland had won seven of the last eight meetings between the two teams, including a pair of victories last campaign, heading into the game ……… FSU head coach Tracey Dorow improved to 8-9 in her head coaching career versus AU with the win ……… Ferris improved to 82-33 (.713) all-time inside Wink Arena with the victory ……… The quartet of Becci Houdek, Tiara Adams, Kelsey DeNoyelles and Tricia Principe combined to score 66 of FSU’s 75 points. The fifth starter, junior forward Amy Joostberns, totaled six points as the Bulldogs received only three points off the bench in picking up the win ……… The Eagles were only one-of-10 (10%) beyond the arc in the first half ……… Ferris turned the ball over only five times in the final 20 minutes after having 16 miscues in the opening stanza.