Big Second Period Lifts Michigan State Over Ferris State At The Breslin Center

Postgame Interview
Postgame Highlights 

East Lansing, Mich. - The Ferris State University women's basketball squad battled hard against NCAA Division I Michigan State on Wednesday (Oct. 30) night in exhibition play at the Breslin Center, but came out on the short end of a 85-45 decision before a crowd of nearly 3,300 fans in East Lansing.

The Bulldogs trailed by only six points at the end of the first period and competed hard throughout the night, but a critical second period run by the Spartans allowed MSU to take control.

In the third-ever matchup between the two in-state foes, Michigan State built a 20-14 lead after the initial stanz and then outscored FSU 31-6 in the second 10 minutes of action. The second half was fairly even with the Spartans owning a 34-25 edge for the final 20 minutes of the game as the second period proved to be the major difference.

Ferris State was held to 26% shooting overall for the game and had 29 turnovers, but the Bulldogs also limited MSU to 36.7% shooting, including a four-of-23 (17.4%) effort behind the three-point stripe.

FSU, which also battled foul trouble early on, was paced by Samantha Krauss, who hit a pair of three's and scored 12 points off the bench in the second half. The Bulldogs got eight points from junior guard Adrienne Anderson along with seven from senior center Brayene Benner, who added a team-high seven rebounds.

In her collegiate debut, freshman guard Mallory McCartney totaled four steals to go with four rebounds and two assists with the Bulldogs also getting six points and three boards by junior Savanah Gibson.

Meanwhile, Shay Colley paced the Spartans with a game-high 14 points while Nia Clouden added 12 points and Moira Joiner notched 11 for MSU, which won 21 games a season ago. Michigan State generated 17 steals and outscored FSU 44-16 in the paint along with 28-6 in points off turnovers.

Ferris State will open the regular-season on Friday, Nov. 8, as FSU visits Lake Erie for a 5 p.m. (ET) non-conference tipoff in Painesville, Ohio. The Bulldogs then face Walsh on Saturday, Nov. 9, in Canton, Ohio.