Late NMU Stop Dooms Bulldogs At Home

Postgame Audio File: Tracey Dorow & Becci Houdek
(MP3 Version) - (Windows Media Version)

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University women's basketball squad took Northern Michigan to the wire, but came out on the short end of a close 56-54 decision on Thursday (Jan. 28) evening in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) play at FSU's Jim Wink Arena in Big Rapids.

The Bulldogs battled back from a 12-point deficit with 14:49 to play and had a chance to tie or take the lead as the game was winding down. However, a jumper from junior guard Becci Houdek on FSU's final posssession came up short with three seconds remaining and the Wildcats were able to preserve the victory.

"We did some good things, but there were too many times we took quick shots and rushed them," said FSU head coach Tracey Dorow. "We didn't do a very good job rebounding and gave up too many offensive rebounds so it shouldn't have ever came down to that last play."

With the win, NMU improved to 13-5 overall and won for the 10th time in 13 league contests this campaign. FSU fell to 5-13 overall and 4-9 in GLIAC action as the Bulldogs returned home after playing five consecutive conference games on the road in a two-week span.

Houdek led the Bulldogs with 12 points, six assists, five rebounds and three steals on the night. She was joined in double-digits by junior forward Tiara Adams with 10 points, but those were the only two FSU players to total more than seven points in the outing.

Sophomore guard Tricia Principe chipped in with seven points, freshman guard Kylie Muntz scored seven points and freshman forward Leah Kebler contributed seven points with six rebounds.

FSU played without the services of junior starting forward Amy Joostberns due to injury. However, the Bulldogs did welcome back junior guard Stephanie DeNoyelles, who saw her first action of the season and played six minutes off the bench after returning from a knee injury.

The Wildcats shot only 34.5% (20-58) for the game with a nine-of-25 (36%) effort behind the three-point arc and a seven-of-12 (58.3%) showing at the free throw stripe. They did outrebound FSU, though, by a 41-31 count and grabbed 12 offensive boards compared to only two for the Bulldogs.

NMU was paced by Christa Erickson's game-high 18 points, which included six three-point baskets. Steffani Stoeger added 12 points and Angie Leckson tallied 10 points to go with nine rebounds in the middle.

Overall, FSU converted 22-of-52 (42.3%) field goal tries along with four-of-eight (50%) three-pointers and six-of-eight (75%) free throws.

Northern Michigan racked up 14 assists, six steals and three blocked shots in the game with FSU recording 12 assists, six steals and three blocks as well.

The loss was the fourth-straight for the Bulldogs and FSU dropped to 4-3 overall at home this season with the setback, which began a four-game homestand for Ferris State.

The Wildcats jumped out to a 27-24 halftime edge in a game that featured four lead changes with the score tied five different times.

Ferris State continues its homestand by hosting nationally fourth-ranked Michigan Tech on Saturday, Jan. 30, starting at 1 p.m. (EST) inside Wink Arena. Tickets will be available at the door for the Kids Day contest.