Bulldogs Advance In GLIAC Tourney With Win

Big Rapids, Mich.- The Ferris State women's basketball team secured a 68-61 victory over the Findlay Oilers in a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Tournament Quarterfinal game on Wednesday night (Feb. 29) in front of an enthusiastic crowd at Jim Wink Arena.

With the win, the number two-seeded Bulldogs advance to the GLIAC Tournament Semifinals and will face third-seeded Tiffin on Saturday (March 3).  Tipoff is slated for 3 p.m. (ET) at Kates Gymnasium in Ashland, Ohio. 

Host Ashland will face Michigan Tech in the first semifinal at 1 p.m. (ET) with the winners meeting in the title game on Sunday (March 4) at 2 p.m. (ET).

The Bulldogs were led by sophomore guard Sarah DeShone with 16 points.  Sophomore forward Nikki Arner added 14 points and senior guard Tricia Principe totaled 11 points.

Findlay led 30-29 at halftime, but FSU outscored the Oilers 39-31 the rest of the way to notch the victory.  

The seventh-seeded Oilers were paced by Kayla Brown, who had 19 points.  Clare Aubry chipped in with 18 points for the Oilers.

FSU shot 49.1% for the night and hit seven-of-20 (35%) three's along with nine-of-12 (75%) free throws.  The Bulldogs converted 56% (14-25) of their field goals in the final half of action.

Meanwhile, the Oilers were limited to only 36.4% shooting, but did make 12-of-15 (80%) free throws and nine-of-23 (39.1%) three's.  They hit only eight-of-28 (28.6%) field goals over the final 20 minutes of play.

Ferris State improved to 21-5 overall this season with the victory. Findlay ended its season with a 15-12 mark.  The loss was the Oilers' second to FSU in less than two weeks as the Bulldogs previously recorded a 80-72 road win over UF in regular-season play on Feb. 18 at Croy Gymnasium in Findlay.

FSU finished the contest with a 34-30 rebounding advantage although Findlay held a slim 12-11 edge in offensive boards, leading to a 14-10 margin for the Oilers in second chance production.

The Bulldogs totaled 13 asssts and five steals to go with 10 turnovers while the Oilers managed 13 assists, four steals, three blocked shots and had 14 miscues.  Ferris held a 13-9 advantage in points off turnovers and also outscored Findlay 18-14 in the paint.

Besides the three players in double-figures, the Bulldogs also received eight points each from senior guard Kelsey DeNoyelles and freshman forward Christina Branch, who also had a game-high seven rebounds. 

Overall, the game featured 13 lead changes and the score was tied four times as neither team ever led by more than eight points in the contest.

The win improved FSU's all-time GLIAC Tournament record to 9-11 overall.  The Bulldogs, who are making their 13th league tournament appearance and first since 2008-09, captured this year's GLIAC North Division Championship with a 17-2 regular-season league record.

Saturday's game against Tiffin will be carried live locally on Sunny 97.3 FM and the Bulldog Sports Network with Rob Bentley calling the action from Ashland.  The Meijer Pregame show starts one-half hour prior to tipoff at 2:30 p.m. (ET).  It will also be accessible online at www.FerrisStateBulldogs.com.