Big Start Helps #2 Lewis Over Ferris State In Regional Women's Hoops Action

Big Rapids, Mich. - Nationally second-ranked Lewis (Ill.) jumped out to an early lead en route to a 81-54 win over Ferris State in a regional non-league women's basketball contest on Sunday (Nov. 29) afternoon at Neil Carey Arena in Romeoville, Ill.

The host Flyers led 26-12 at the end of one quarter and built a 44-19 halftime lead while improving to 6-1 overall this campaign. FSU outscored the Flyers 22-18 in the third quarter to draw closer, but Lewis closed the game with a 19-13 edge in the final period to account for the total margin.

Ferris State was led by sophomore guard Hannah Evo, who tallied a team-high 10 points. She added both two assists and two steals in the setback. Meanwhile, freshman Margo Brown added nine points off the bench and sophomore forward Rachel McInerney tallied eight points for the Bulldogs.

Senior guard Katie Mavis added seven points for the Bulldogs while junior forward Joslyn Nicholson totaled six points as did freshman forward Abby Nakfoor. Mavis also had a squad-best five rebounds.

FSU was held to 35.7% shooting overall, including a seven-of-26 (26.9%) effort from three-point range. The Bulldogs did sink all seven of their free throw attempts.

Meanwhile, the Flyers converted 51.7% of their field goals overall and hit on six-of-12 (50%) three's along with 13-of-14 (92.9%) free throws.

Lewis benefited from 23 Bulldog turnovers and LU also outrebounded FSU 37-26 for the afternoon while pulling down 14 offensive caroms. The Flyers recorded 16 steals and dished out 19 assists with three blocks in comparison to FSU's 11 assists, five steals and two swats.

The Flyers placed four in double-figure scoring with Mariyah Brawner-Henley leading the way with 20 points. Jessica Kelliher added 18 points, Alyssa Siwek totaled 16 points and Alyssa Dengler contributed 13 points for Lewis.

Ferris State returns home to host Lake Erie in its 2015-16 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) opener on Thursday, Dec. 3. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. (ET) and the game will be played at Big Rapids High School due to the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional Volleyball Tournament being hosted by FSU.

FSU then hosts Ashland on Saturday (Dec. 5) in a 3 p.m. (ET) game at BRHS.