FINAL FOUR BOUND! Ferris State Women's Basketball Advances To NCAA D2 National Semifinals

Postgame Interview - Coach Westendorp 
Postgame Interview - Chloe Idoni 
Postgame Highlights    
Postgame Press Conference   

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University women's basketball squad advanced to the NCAA Division II National Semifinals for the first time in school history as the Bulldogs pulled out a 60-53 win over Tampa on Monday (March 25) afternoon in St. Joseph, Mo.

With the win, Ferris State will now move into Wednesday night's first national semifinal at 7 p.m. (ET) versus either Daemen (N.Y.) or Texas Woman's University.

The Bulldogs jumped out to a 16-8 first-quarter lead and held a six-point halftime lead over the Spartans. The lead grew to as many as 13 points late in the third period before FSU lost senior guard Mallory McCartney due to injury.

From there, Tampa made a strong push and got back within a single possession, but the Bulldogs made several timely shots down the stretch to garner the win.

Senior standout Chloe Idoni had a big game for the Bulldogs with a contest-high 27 points while both McCartney and junior guard Kadyn Blanchard added nine points each. FSU's Elle Irwin tallied six points while Kenzie Bowers added five points and DeShonna Day scored four points in the triumph.

Blanchard added a game-high 13 rebounds for the Bulldogs in the win.

The Bulldogs shot 37.9% overall, but also went 12-of-26 (33.3%) from three-point range and made four-of-nine (44.4%) free throws in moving to 26-5 overall this campaign.

On the glass, the Bulldogs owned a 39-31 rebounding edge and FSU also forced 17 turnovers while outscoring the Spartans 17-15 in points off miscues.

FSU outscored Tampa 13-9 in the third period before the Spartans put up 20 fourth-quarter points while tying to climb back into the game.

Tampa, which closed the year with a 31-7 overall record, was led by Mya Giusto with 16 points. Audrey Ramsey added 11 points and Sarah Jones scored 10 points.

Wednesday's national semifinal game will be carried live by CBS Sports Network. In addition, the live local radio broadcast will air on Sunny 97.3 FM and the Bulldog Sports Network with pregame coverage starting at 6:30 p.m. (ET).