DeShone Matches School Three-Point Record In Leading Bulldogs To GLIAC Road Win

Big Rapids, Mich. - Senior guard Sarah DeShone matched a school-record with seven three's in leading the Ferris State University women's basketball team to an impressive 83-75 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) road win over Saginaw Valley State on Saturday (Feb. 22) evening in University Center, Mich.

The Bulldogs' two-time All-American scored a game-high 27 points and tied former FSU standout Lori Young's school-record of seven treys in a contest in helping FSU win its third-straight game overall. Ferris State improved to 9-13 overall and 9-11 in league action with the triumph.

Saginaw Valley State led 40-38 after a back-and-forth first half of action inside O'Neill Arena and pushed the lead to 53-47 with 13:38 to play before Ferris State eventually surged ahead on a three-pointer from DeShone with 11:33 to play.

From there, the Bulldogs never trailed the rest of the way despite not scoring a field goal in the final five minutes of the game. FSU's last nine points all came from the free throw line.

DeShone was one of four Ferris State players to reach double-figure scoring in the contest.
Sophomore guard Dena Droste scored 17 points in the game and came up with several big baskets down the stretch despite making only one-of-eight three's on the night. In addition, sophomore guard Katie Mavis chipped in 13 points off the bench and sophomore forward Christina Branch notched a double-double with 10 points and a game-high 10 rebounds on the night.

Ferris State shot 47.6% for the game and made 10-of-21 (47.6%) long range tries behind DeShone's seven-of-nine showing. FSU was 13-of-15 (86.7%) at the line, including a perfect four-of-four in the final minute.

The Bulldogs withstood five Saginaw Valley State players who reached double-figure scoring in the game. Katelyn Carriere led an experienced unit with 22 points while Kristen Greene added 14 points, Briana Graham totaled 12 points, Samantha Zirzow scored 11 points and Kayla Womack chipped in 10 points.

The Cardinals connected on 45.3% of their field goal tries and were eight-of-21 (38.1%) behind the three-point arc along with nine-of-13 (69.2%) at the line.

The Bulldogs held a decided edge on the glass behind Branch's 10 boards as FSU grabbed 40 caroms to only 32 for the hosts. FSU also had 11 offensive boards. Both DeShone and junior forward Hannah Hoffman pulled down six rebounds each.

Both teams turned the ball over 12 times on the night, but FSU came up with 10 steals to only three for the Cardinals. Mavis came up with three steals to lead the Bulldogs while Branch, Droste and sophomore guard Destiney Robinson all had two each.

Saginaw Valley State, which was riding a six-game winning streak only two weeks ago and coming off a big road win at Grand Valley State on Thursday night, fell to 13-10 overall and 11-9 in league play.

Ferris State, which entered the game still battling for a potential spot in the conference tournament, returns home to Jim Wink Arena for its final two regular-season outings next week.  

FSU will host rival Grand Valley State on Thursday (Feb. 27) starting at 6 p.m. (ET) in Big Rapids and then close the regular-season with a rematch against Saginaw Valley State on Saturday (March 1) in a rescheduled game set to begin at 1 p.m. (ET).