Bulldog Women's Basketball Claims Impressive Season-Opening Victory In Ohio

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University women's basketball squad opened its 2017-18 campaign in impressive fashion on Friday (NOv. 10) as the Bulldogs beat Ursuline 81-75 in the Midwest Regional Challenge in Pepper Pike, Ohio.

FSU bolted out to a 39-30 halftime lead and held off the Arrows down the stretch to open the year with a 1-0 mark.

The Bulldogs got a game-high 26 points from sophomore wing Riley Blair to go with 20 points from senior center Rachel McInerney and 10 by senior guard Leah Humes. Both Blair and McInerney tallied double-double performances with 11 and 10 rebounds, respectively.

FSU forced 23 Ursuline turnovers and came up with 17 steals in the win while shooting 33-of-95 (34.7%) from the floor. Ferris State made only two-of-16 (12.5%) three's but went 13-of-21 (61.9%) at the free throw stripe.

Meanwhile, the Arrows shot 39.1% overall and were nine-of-26 (34.6%) beyond the arc in addition to 12-of-21 (57.1%) from the line.

Camille Gist paced Ursuline with 17 points while Camryn Hill added 14 points, Laney Lewis totaled 14 points and Paige Salisbury notched 12 points.

Ferris State also received six steals from Lexi Bush, who added six rebounds and six points. Lilly George totaled seven boards as did Renee Sturm. Bush finished with five assists and Sturm had four to help the FSU cause.

The Bulldogs finished with a decisive 46-20 edge inside the paint and held a 25-9 margin in points off turnovers while also outscoring the Arrows 21-13 on the glass.

Ursuline had been picked as the preseason favorites in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference and reached the NCAA Tournament a year ago.

The Bulldogs will close out the Midwest Regional Challenge on Saturday (Nov. 11) against Davis & Elkins (W.Va.) starting at 6 p.m. (ET).