Slow Start Too Much To Overcome For Ferris State In Women's Basketball Home Tilt

Postgame Highlights & Interview 

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University women's basketball squad could not overcome a slow start as the Bulldogs rallied, but fell short in a 80-71 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) setback versus Saginaw Valley State on Saturday (Feb. 11) afternoon inside FSU's Jim Wink Arena.

The Cardinals jumped in front 26-10 in the opening quarter thanks to shooting 62.5% from the floor in the initial frame and led by 14 points at halftime. FSU trimmed the margin down by outscoring SVSU 14-9 in the third before the team teams combined for 62 fourth quarter points, with each team producing 31 over the final 10 minutes.

Ferris State cut the Cardinals' advantage down to only two possessions late, but was not able to get any closer as Saginaw Valley State held on for the win.

The Cardinals got a game-high 24 points from Kaitlyn Zarycki, who went 11-of-13 at the free throw line and helped ice the win. Tori DePerry added 21 points while Emma Dziezgowski produced 20 points from the bench, finishing six-of-11 from long range.

The Bulldogs were led by senior forward Chloe Idoni with 21 points and she notched her 1,000th career point in the contest. Senior guard Mallory McCartney added 18 points and sophomore Kenzie Bowers posted 11 points in the setback.

Saginaw Valley State finished shooting 45.6% from the floor and made eight-of-19 (42.1%) three's along with 20-of-24 (83.3%) free throws. Meanwhile, FSU was held to 39.3% shooting and the Bulldogs finished seven-of-20 (35%) from deep and 20-of-26 (76.9%) at the line.

Overall, the Cardinals owned a decisive 44-25 rebounding margin and overcame 18 turnovers compared to only 13 for FSU. The Bulldogs finished with 11 steals, including three from Elle Irwin, while adding seven blocked shots. Both Idoni and Amaka Unobagha had three blocks each.

The Bulldogs also dished out 16 assists in the game, including seven from McCartney. She played all 40 minutes for FSU, which fell to 14-10 overall and 7-8 in the GLIAC.

SVSU improved to 14-10 overall and 9-5 in conference play with the win.

The contest was FSU's final regular-season home outing of the year. FSU will next face Lake Superior State on Saturday, Feb. 18, in Sault Ste. Marie with tipoff set for 1 p.m. (ET).