Ferris State Suffers First Loss Of Year After Close Women's Basketball Setback To Lewis

Postgame Highlights 
Postgame Interview 

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University women's basketball squad suffered its first loss of the year as the Bulldogs dropped a hard-fought 81-77 decision to the Lewis (Ill.) Flyers in regional action on Sunday (Nov. 26) inside FSU's Jim Wink Arena.

The Bulldogs' five-game season-opening victory streak was snapped as Lewis received a game-high 37 points from standout Jessica Kelliher in the road triumph.

Ferris State led by as many as five points late in the first quarter before the Flyers grabbed a 33-31 halftime lead. The game went back and forth for most the way and featured seven lead changes.

The Flyers pushed their edge to as many as 10 points late in the third quarter before Ferris State rallied and grabbed the advantage in the fourth. However, the Flyers rallied down the stretch and held off FSU to notch the win.

Redshirt sophomore guard Riley Blair racked up 17 points for the game with senior forward Rachel McInerney producing 15 points and a game-high 17 rebounds in yet another double-double showing. Meanwhile, senior guard Leah Humes totaled 14 points and freshman guard Kelsey Wyman tallied 12 points in the setback.

The Bulldogs shot only 34% for the game and hit four-of-21 (19%) three's to go with a 17-of-28 (60.7%) effort at the line.

In addition to Kelliher's 37 points, the Flyers also got 14 points from Rachel Hinders along with 10 by Tierney Lockett.

LU shot 52% from the field, but went only one-of-eight (12.5%) beyond the arc. The Flyers did hit 24-of-30 (80%) free throws in the game.

Ferris State was outscored 52-34 in the paint and 18-10 on the offensive glass despite recording 24 offensive rebounds to only 10 for the Flyers.

FSU also forced 24 Lewis turnovers and posted a 21-8 edge in points off turnovers for the game while coming up with 15 steals overall. The Bulldogs also had 20 assists, including four apiece from McInerney, Alexis Bush and Shaniya Huggins.

With the setback, Ferris State now holds a 5-1 overall record to date this year.

The Bulldogs will open Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) action at home on Thursday (Nov. 30) night at 7:30 p.m. (EST) against the Tiffin Dragons inside Wink Arena in Big Rapids.