#14 Ferris State Uses Blazing Start To Tame Timberwolves In Regional Home Triumph

Postgame Highlights & Interview 

Big Rapids, Mich. - The nation's 14th-ranked Ferris State University women's basketball squad got off to a blazing start and coasted past visiting Northwood in a 87-63 regional win on Wednesday (Nov. 20) evening inside Jim Wink Arena.

Ferris State improved to 5-1 overall this year as the Bulldogs took control early and never looked back in posting a second consecutive home win.

The Bulldogs built a 30-13 edge after the opening period and led by 17 at halftime en route to the win. The lead grew to as many as 27 points with four minutes left in the triumph.

Overall, the Bulldogs made 15 three's in the game and shot 50% (15-30) from the three-point line. FSU also forced 24 turnovers and outscored Northwood 31-15 in points off turnovers along with 24-7 in fast break production.

Senior guard Kadyn Blanchard had 20 first-half points for the Bulldogs and added seven rebounds and six assists for the Bulldogs.

Meanwhile, senior guard Kenzie Bowers tallied a game-high 21 points and pulled down eight boards with four assists in the win, which came against her younger sister, Lexie, who played for Northwood. The two played in front of a large crowd of supporters from their hometown of Kent City.

Along with Blanchard and Bowers, the Bulldogs also got 13 points from junior Mia Riley along with 12 points from junior Elle Irwin, who made four-of-six three's while adding four assists and a game-high four steals. Riley added four assists and three steals.

The Bulldogs shot 47.1% overall from the floor, including 64.7% in the opening quarter. FSU also finished by making all six of its free throw attempts in the game.

Ferris State limited NU to 40% shooting and the Timberwolves shot only 32% (8-25) from the three-point arc along with seven-of-10 (70%) at the free throw line. Lea Holmes led NU with 14 points and Lexie Bowers had nine in the setback.

The Bulldogs finished the night with 12 steals and nine blocked shots.

Ferris State will host seventh-ranked Ashland in a battle of top 15 teams nationally on Saturday (Nov. 23) at Wink Arena. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. (ET) and the game will be a rematch of last year's NCAA Division II Midwest Regional Semifinal won by the Bulldogs.