#15 Ferris State Finishes With Season-Opening Split After Sunday Setback In Missouri

Big Rapids, Mich. - The nationally 15th-ranked Ferris State University women's basketball squad dropped a 66-58 decision to Central Missouri on Sunday (Nov. 3) to close out play in the Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) Tipoff Classic in St. Joseph, Mo.

The Jennies held a point-point lead after the first quarter and extended the lead to six at halftime. The lead grew to eight before FSU trimmed the margin in the second half and fought to the finish in a tightly-contested game.

The Bulldogs, who had defeated 13th-ranked Pittsburg State in Saturday's season opener, fell to 1-1 overall this year. The event featured some of the nation's top squads and took place at the St. Joseph Civic Center, where FSU reached the national semifinals a year ago at the D2 Elite Eight.

Ferris State took a 50-49 lead inside of eight minutes to play in the fourth period before UCM responded with a 6-0 run to reclaim the advantage.

FSU was led by juniors Mia Riley and Emma Schierbeek, who both notched 14 points apiece. Both senior Kadyn Blanchard and junior Mya Hiram added 10 points each in the setback while senior guard Kenzie Bowers totaled eight points for the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs shot only 31.9% for the game and went seven-of-25 (28%) from the three-point line, including a four-of-six effort from Schierbeek off the bench. FSU also made seven-of-10 (70%) free throws.

Ferris State was out rebounded by a 46-34 count, but FSU also had only 11 turnovers compared to 17 by Central Missouri. The Bulldogs netted six steals on the defensive end and two blocked shots.

On the opposite side, Central Missouri made 48.3% of its field goals and sank eight-of-11 (72.7%) free throws, but finished only two-of-nine (22.2%) at the charity stripe. The Jennies were led by Reese Schaaf with 17 points. Lauren Frost chipped in 15 points and Taylor Weishaar scored 14 points.

The Bulldogs will head back to Missouri next weekend to play a pair of regional tilts in Missouri. FSU will take on Southwest Baptist on Saturday (Nov. 9) at 8 p.m. (ET) before facing host Drury (Mo.) starting on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. (ET).