March 14, 2025
Ferris State basketball player Mia Riley elevates her game to help lift Bulldogs back To NCAA DII tourney
– Mia Riley entered her junior season knowing she would have to work for everything coming her way.
Riley, a 5-foot-9 wing from Fowler, recently earned first-team 2025 All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference honors.
"Going into our first weekend of games this season, I was not in the starting lineup, but I ended up getting a chance to start our first game due to some injuries on our team," Riley said. "I started the rest of the year after that game. I tried to embrace my new role by being prepared and confident."
That approach has led to the best season of Riley’s career, averaging 14.5 points, six rebounds, and 3 assists while shooting 43 percent from the floor, 35 percent from the 3-point line, and 83 percent at the free throw stripe.
"I tried letting the game come to me rather than forcing things, and I was in the gym each day practicing, making the best of the opportunity," said Riley, an Optometry major.
Ferris State hopes to continue making the best of opportunities, having earned a return trip to the NCAA Division II Tournament. The Bulldogs, who are 21-11 this season, open tournament play on Friday, March 14, taking on Ashland University at 2:30 p.m. in Allendale, Michigan at Grand Valley State University.
"It feels amazing to have another shot at a national title," Riley said. "It's especially amazing since we went so far last year and got a taste of what it was like, which makes us even more excited and ready to make a deep tournament run again this year."
The Bulldogs have had to stay tight as a team, suffering a series of injuries this season to players expected to fill significant roles on and off the court – including returning veteran guards and starters, senior Kadyn Blanchard, who was the team's leading scorer at 17.5 points per game 13 contests into this season, and senior DeShonna Day, who was averaging nearly five points through 20 games.
"We have such great team chemistry which translates over onto the court," said Riley, the 2021 Associated Press Division 4 All-State Player of the Year as a prep while leading Fowler High School to its second-ever state championship. "These girls are my best friends, and nobody else I would rather play basketball alongside and go with into the tournament."
Riley takes pride in her versatility as a basketball player who works hard at both ends of the floor and doesn't mind the scratches, bruises and dirty uniforms that come from diving on the floor for loose basketballs or competing for every nearby rebound opportunity.
"I have had nearly every possible role on a basketball team. I went from sixth man my freshman year to not playing as much my sophomore year, then to a starter my junior year," she said. "My game has grown so much, all-around, over these past few years, but in this last year, especially, I have gotten better at seeing the court. When I see the court well, I can be better at making passes or creating shots."
In addition to a starting role, injuries to teammates have challenged Riley to take on responsibilities such as handling the basketball against pressure more frequently.
"I play both point guard and off-guard during games, and point guard requires me to see the court well," she said. "Both guard positions are two pretty different perspectives that are fun to switch between."
Riley wants to keep the ride going with her basketball family as long as possible.
"My teammates are the absolute best thing about being a part of this team," she said. "I live with some of my teammates and spend most of my free time with them. They are some of my best friends and I am so thankful that this sport has brought me them. There is nobody else I would rather do it with than these teammates."
The Bulldogs, who are 21-11 this season, open NCAA Division II Tournament play on Friday, March 14, taking on Ashland University at 2:30 p.m. in Allendale, Michigan at Grand Valley State University.