FSU Falls To Top-Ranked Grand Valley State At Home In GLIAC First-Place Matchup

Postgame Interview 

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University women's basketball squad battled nationally top-ranked Grand Valley State much of the night, but fell in a 83-61 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) decision on Thursday (Jan. 9) night inside FSU's Jim Wink Arena.

The visiting Lakers took a 21-13 lead after the opening period and held a 12-point halftime advantage before going on to win the game, improving to 15-1 overall and 5-0 in the GLIAC.

The Bulldogs, who played without leading scorer Kadyn Blanchard, dropped to 10-4 overall and 4-1 in conference play following the setback in the matchup between the conference's top two squads.

Ferris State was held to 36.4% shooting overall and the Bulldogs managed to make only four-of-23 (17.4%) long range tries after breaking the school record with 18 made three's in the most recent game last week. FSU finished nine-of-12 (75.0%) at the free throw stripe.

Senior guard Kenzie Bowers led the Bulldogs with a game-high 19 points while adding seven rebounds and four assists. Meanwhile, junior Mia Riley had a big night with 16 points, 10 rebounds and seven steals. FSU also got 15 points from junior forward Mya Hiram while Emma Schierbeek added seven points off the bench.

The Lakers shot 48.5% for the game and were 10-of-30 (33.3%) from deep in addition to nine-of-11 (81.8%) at the free throw line.

Both teams finished with 38 rebounds in the game although FSU netted 20 offensive boards. However, the Lakers pulled down 16 offensive caroms and held a 28-19 edge in second chance scoring while also outscoring Ferris State 34-22 in points off turnovers. Overall, the Bulldogs had 26 turnovers and GVSU had 22 in the contest.

The Lakers, who garnered 43 points off the bench to only seven for Ferris State, were led by Rylie Bisballe with 15 points. She was the lone Grand Valley State player to reach double-digits in a balanced effort as the Lakers had 12 players see action and all 12 played seven minutes or more.

The Bulldogs will close out a four-game homestand and look to get back on track Saturday (Jan.11) versus Davenport with tipoff set for 1 p.m. (ET) in Big Rapids. FSU will hold a special "Banner Ceremony" prior to both the women's and men's games honoring the achievements from last season's regional championship and NCAA D2 Elite Eight squads.