Ferris State Tops Roosevelt To Reach GLIAC Semifinals; FSU Will Face NMU On Saturday In Allendale

Postgame Highlights 
Postgame Interview 

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University women's basketball squad advanced to the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Tournament Semifinals as the Bulldogs pulled out a 67-58 quarterfinal-round triumph over Roosevelt on Wednesday (March 5) night inside Jim Wink Arena.

The third-seeded Bulldogs claimed their 20th win of the year by beating the sixth-seeded Lakers and will now move into the semifinals and will face second-seeded Northern Michigan on Saturday (March 8) in Allendale starting at 4:30 p.m. (ET).

In Wednesday's quarterfinal, Roosevelt jumped in front early as the Lakers scored the initial seven points of the game and held a 12-point lead midway thru the period before FSU trimmed the deficit to five at the end of the period.

The Bulldogs held a two-point halftime lead after outscoring RU 17-10 in the second period, but the game was tied heading into the fourth. In the final period, Ferris State pulled away for the win, totaling 19 points in the final 10 minutes to only 10 for the Lakers.

The victory snapped a two-game losing skid and avenged a regular-season setback to Roosevelt at Wink Arena.

Junior forward Mya Hiram had a big night with a game-high 22 points in the win and added eight rebounds. Meanwhile, junior Mia Riley totaled 17 points with 11 rebounds, five steals and four assists in the victory.

The Bulldogs also got 13 points and seven rebounds from senior Kenzie Bowers, who tallied her 1,000th career point in the win. Junior Elle Irwin chipped in with six points, four rebounds and four assists.

Ferris State shot 38.6% from the floor and went only five-of-22 (22.7%) from long range, but did hit all eight of its free throws. FSU also forced 19 turnovers on the defensive end and outscored Roosevelt 16-3 in points off those mistakes. It also helped lead to a 15-5 margin in fast break scoring.

Roosevelt was limited to 33.3% shooting and the Lakers made seven-of-30 (23.3%) three's along with nine-of-12 (75%) free throws in closing the year with a 12-15 overall record in their first season in the GLIAC.

The Lakers were led by Luka Malinka with 15 points and Marie Outlay with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

Ferris State improved to 20-10 overall this year with the win and kept its NCAA Tournament hopes alive with the victory.

The Bulldogs will play the second semifinal game on Saturday with top-seeded host Grand Valley State facing fourth-seeded Wayne State in the first matchup at 2 p.m. (ET). The championship game is on Sunday (March 9) afternoon at 3 p.m. (ET).

Stay tuned to FerrisStateBulldogs.com for additional postseason information as it becomes available.