March 15, 2025
Ferris State women’s basketball team falls to Ashland, ending NCAA DII Tournament hopes
The Ferris State University women's basketball team came up short on Friday, falling to nationally fifth-ranked Ashland University 62-50 in the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional Quarterfinals.
The Bulldogs, who closed the year with a 21-12 overall record, took the Eagles to the wire before Ashland pulled away late for the victory to move into the regional semifinals. The setback also avenged a defeat by Ferris State a year ago in the regional tournament.
Ferris State fell behind by nine points in the first period but battled back to pull within three at halftime. In the second half, the Bulldogs continued to keep the game close. But each time FSU pulled within a possession, the veteran Ashland team responded and the Eagles closed out the game to move to 31-3 on the year.
The Bulldogs were led by junior guard Mia Riley, an Optometry major, with a game-high 19 points. Dental Hygiene major Mya Hiram added 11 points for Ferris State while freshman Alyssa Wirth, and Elementary Education major, scored seven points off the bench. Senior guard Kenzie Bowers , a Master of Business Administration major, finished her career with four points, five rebounds and four assists.
Ferris State was held to only 31.1 percent shooting, including a three-of-23 (13 percent) effort from long. The Bulldogs went 11-of-13 (84.6 percent) at the free throw line.
Meanwhile, Ashland shot 46.8 percent for the afternoon and nailed eight-of-20 (40 percent) three's in addition to 10-of-17 (58.8 percent) free throws. They also held a 39-29 rebounding edge over Ferris State but turned the ball over 18 times compared to only 13 for the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs outscored Ashland 30-22 inside the paint and 12-8 in points off turnovers.
Ferris State loses a pair of seniors in Bowers and DeShonna Day, a Social Work major who did not play due to injury, but the rest of the roster is slated to potentially return next season.
The berth in the NCAA Tournament was the eighth in Ferris State history, including the third in the last four seasons.