Ferris State Bounces Back For Decisive GLIAC Home Win Over Davenport

Postgame Interview 

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University women's basketball squad bounced back in a big way on Saturday (Jan. 11) as FSU rolled to an 89-58 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) home triumph over Davenport inside Jim Wink Arena.

With the win, the Bulldogs are now 11-4 overall and 5-1 in conference play.

Ferris State, which was coming off a home setback to nationally top-ranked Grand Valley State, jumped in front of the Panthers early and led 23-12 at the end of one quarter. FSU pushed the margin to 22 points at halftime and led by as many as 33 points in the win.

All 10 Ferris State players in uniform played at least 10 minutes and scored in a balanced effort for Ferris State.

The Bulldogs were led by junior guard Elle Irwin and sophomore forward Claire Erickson as both netted 13 points. A total of five FSU players reach double-figure scoring with senior guard Kenzie Bowers posting 12 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and six steals in an impressive all-around game. The Bulldogs' DeShonna Day and Mia Riley both added 10 points apiece.

Ferris State also got nine points off the bench from Emma Schierbeek in addition to eight points by Mya Hiram and six from Ally Schultz. Freshmen Grace Lyons and Alyssa Wirth chipped in four points each.

FSU forced 30 turnovers in the win and held a decisive 33-11 advantage in points off turnovers while also recording a 31-14 edge in second chance scoring on the stretch of 19 offensive boards. Overall, Ferris State won the rebounding battle by a 39-34 count.

The Bulldogs generated 25 steals on the defensive end, including six each by Bowers and Schultz along with five from Riley. FSU also had four blocked shots and dished out 26 assists with seven by Bowers and five from Irwin.

Ferris State shot 45.1% from the field in addition to six-of-22 (27.3%) from three-point range and 19-of-20 (95%) at the free throw line.

Davenport, which fell to 3-11 on the year and 1-5 in GLIAC action, was held to 39.2% shooting. The Panthers were only four-of-16 (25%) from long range and 14-of-18 (77.8%) at the charity stripe. Both Deyonce Thompson and Kayla Covington had 13 points for DU while Isabel Lindo finished with 11 points.

Ferris State wrapped up a four-game homestand with the win and will travel to Parkside on Thursday (Jan. 16) along with Purdue Northwest on Saturday (Jan. 18) for a pair of league road contests.