Ferris State Suffers First Conference Setback In Home Tilt At Wink Arena

Postgame Interview 

Big Rapids, Mich. - Visiting Wayne State took control early and knocked off Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) leader Ferris State on Thursday (Jan. 6) night at FSU's Jim Wink Arena as the Bulldogs played their first home contest in the facility in more than a month.

The Warriors scored the first six points of the contest and built a 25-17 halftime lead before outscoring FSU 16-5 in the third period en route to the victory. WSU never trailed in the game.

The game was the Bulldogs' first at Wink Arena since Nov. 27 and Ferris State played without senior standout Adrienne Anderson for the second consecutive game.

Wayne State used its size inside to post a 50-29 rebounding edge, which included a game-high 21 boards from senior center Sam Cherney, who added 12 points in a double-double performance. The Warriors also got a contest-high 25 points from fellow senior Kate Sherwood.

Ferris State was held to 25% shooting overall and converted only seven-of-29 (24.1%) three's while making six-of-seven (85.7%) free throws.

FSU kept the game close much of the way, though, as the Bulldogs forced 19 turnovers defensively. That led to a 16-9 margin in points off turnovers thanks in part to 15 steals in the game, including a game-high five from junior guard Mallory McCartney, who totaled a team-leading 13 points for the Bulldogs while also adding six rebounds and three assists.

McCartney was joined in double-figures by sophomore guard Kadyn Blanchard with 10 points, but those were the only two FSU players to score more than five points in the outing.

The Bulldogs limited the Warriors to a six-of-19 (31.6%) figure from behind the three-point arc with Wayne State finishing at 39.6% overall from the floor. WSU made 12-of-13 (92.3%) free throws, including all five attempts from Sherwood.

Ferris State did recored six blocked shots and netted 14 assists with senior Zoe Anderson recording four assists and Chloe Idoni posting three blocks.

FSU fell to 10-3 overall and 4-1 in the GLIAC with the setback while Wayne State improved to 7-3 overall and 3-2 in conference play.

The Bulldogs will host Saginaw Valley State on Saturday (Jan. 8) with tipoff set for 1 p.m. (ET) inside Wink Arena.