March 9, 2025
Ferris State women’s basketball team advances to GLIAC championship game, men’s team falls short in semifinal contest
A big fourth quarter lifted the Ferris State University women's basketball squad to the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament Championship Game as the Bulldogs claimed a 73-66 win over Northern Michigan University Saturday in the semifinal round in Allendale.
The Ferris State men’s team, however, fell short by a 93-76 score to Lake Superior State in its semifinal game at the Student Development Complex Gymnasium in Houghton.
The women’s team’s win over the Wildcats advances it to face host and top-seeded rival Grand Valley State University in the league championship game on Sunday, March 9, at 3 p.m. in Allendale.
NMU built an eight-point lead over Ferris State in the first 10 minutes of play before the Bulldogs ate closed the margin to three points at halftime. In the second half, NMU recorded a 13 to 10 advantage in the third period, but Ferris State rallied back and outscored Northern 28-15 the rest of the way for the win.
Five Bulldogs reached double-figures with junior Mya Hiram, a Dental Hygiene major, scoring a team-high 15 points. Both junior Elle Irwin, a Business Administration major, and junior Optometry major Mia Riley tallied 13 points each while senior guard Kenzie Bowers, a Masters of Business Administration major, and freshman post Alyssa Wirth, an Elementary Education major, both totaled 12 points.
Ferris State shot 46.6% from the floor and made eight-of-23 (34.8%) three-point shots along with 11-of-14 (78.6%) free throws.
The Bulldogs were slightly outrebounded 35-32 but also forced 13 turnovers and had only 10 of their own.
The win avenged a pair of regular-season setbacks for the Bulldogs to Northern Michigan along with last year's GLIAC Tournament Semifinal contest.
Men's Basketball Falls to LSSU
In the men’s game, the team fell behind 52-42 at halftime before trimming the margin to five points early in the second frame. However, LSSU finished with a 41-34 scoring advantage over the final 20 minutes in coming away with the win to reach the league tournament final.
The Bulldogs were led by senior guard Ethan Erickson, a Business Administration major, with 16 points. Senior Reece Hazelton, a Master of Business Administration major, added 13 points and junior Nathan Claerbaut, a Business Administration major, finished with 10 points.
Ferris State shot 46.9% from the floor and made 10-of-23 (43.5%) three-point shots along with six-of-10 (60%) free throws.
The Bulldogs gave up 14 offensive boards and LSSU held a decisive 24-4 edge in second chance production while also outscoring the Bulldogs 26-9 in points off turnovers.
Ferris State fell to 25-8 this year with the setback.
The Bulldogs, who were ranked fourth in the most recent NCAA D2 Midwest Regional Rankings, will now await the NCAA Selection Show slated to take place on Sunday at 11 p.m. on the NCAA website.