Ferris State Clinches First GLIAC Women's Basketball Tourney Berth Since 2013 With Home Win

Game Highlights 
Postgame Interview 

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University women's basketball secured its first Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Tournament berth since 2013 as the Bulldogs beat visiting Purdue Northwest 83-47 on Thursday (Feb. 22) night inside FSU's Jim Wink Arena.

The Bulldogs improved to 14-13 overall with the win and the 14 victories are the program's most since the 2011-12 campaign.

Senior forward Rachel McInerney tallied 18 points to go with six rebounds and two blocked shots in the victory while sophomore Lilly George had 10 points and four rebounds in a balanced effort.

The Bulldogs led by only three points, 23-20, at the end of the first quarter, but outscored the Pride 23-9 in the second frame to build a commanding lead. FSU pushed the advantage ahead in the second half with a 17-11 third quarter run followed by a 20-9 advantage in the final period.

Along with the two players in double-digits, the Bulldogs got nine points off the bench from junior forward Abby Nakfoor along with eight points and five assists from freshman guard Shaniya Huggins. Sophomore Brayene Benner also added eight points.

Redshirt sophomore guard Riley Blair had seven points and seven rebounds in the victory with freshman guard Adrienne Anderson totaling seven points overall.

Ferris State made 34-of-72 (47.2%) field goals and went four-of-22 (18.2%) from three along with 11-of-13 (84.6%) at the free throw stripe.

FSU limited Purdue Northwest to 26.9% shooting and the Pride hit only three-of-17 (17.6%) three's, but went 16-of-18 (88.9%) at the line.

The Bulldogs outscored Purdue Northwest 31-13 in points off turnovers as the Pride finished with 28 miscues. FSU also owned a 14-5 margin in second chance production and outscored the Pride on the break by a 24-7 count.

Overall, Ferris State posted a 45-33 rebounding edge and the Bulldogs tallied 44 points in the paint to 18 for the guests.

Finally, the Bulldogs shared the ball well as they dished out 28 assists in the win, including six from junior Alexis Bush and five apiece from Huggins and senior guard Leah Humes.

The Bulldogs will close the regular season at home on Saturday (Feb. 24) against archrival Grand Valley State starting at 3 p.m. (ET) inside Wink Arena. FSU will honor its senior class prior to the game.

Ferris State will then be on the road for the first round of the GLIAC Tournament with quarterfinal-round play on Wednesday, Feb. 28, against an opponent to be determined pending the final results from Saturday's action.