#24 Ferris State Earns Regional Road Victory At Illinois-Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Ferris State University women's basketball squad, which is ranked 24th nationally, improved to 5-1 overall this year as the Bulldogs defeated Illinois-Springfield by a score of 73-64 on Saturday (Nov. 22), capitalizing on a 40-28 advantage in points in the paint in the regional road tilt.

The Bulldogs also benefited from 14 steals, contributing to 21 points off turnovers.

Ferris State began the first quarter with a series of missed opportunities, allowing UIS to take an early lead. Molly Knight opened the scoring for Illinois-Springfield with a jumper at 7:43. Mya Hiram quickly responded with a layup for the Bulldogs, leveling the score, but the Prairie Stars pulled ahead again with two three-pointers by Julia Mingus, extending their lead to 8-4. Allison Wheeler contributed a layup and a three-pointer, increasing the home team's advantage. Despite efforts from Ferris State's Alyssa Wirth and Elle Irwin, the Prairie Stars finished the quarter with a 20-10 lead, capitalizing on turnovers and fast breaks.

Ferris State narrowed the gap in the second quarter, outscoring the Prairie Stars 18-8. Hiram's layup at 8:43 sparked FSU's run, aided by a 3-pointer from Emma Schierbeek that cut the deficit to five. The Bulldogs continued their momentum with Kadyn Blanchard adding consecutive layups, eventually giving them a slim lead. The Prairie Stars managed to draw level with Knight's layup at 58 seconds, making it 28-28 by the end of the period.

The Bulldogs gained momentum in the third quarter with a balanced offensive effort, highlighted by Blanchard's layup at 9:05 that regained the lead at 32-31. Mia Riley expanded their advantage with a three-pointer at 8:33, making it 35-33. Ferris State extended the lead to nine points following a three-pointer from Schierbeek at 5:54, bringing the score to 40-33. The Prairie Stars attempted to narrow the gap with a three-pointer by Libby Blythe at 5:19, reducing the deficit to 42-36, but the Bulldogs maintained control, closing the quarter with a 49-46 lead.

Ferris State extended its lead early in the fourth quarter with a three-pointer by Ally Schultz at 9:40, setting the tone for a strong finish. Kayla Rice responded for the Prairie Stars with a three-pointer at 8:19, but FSU maintained control with a layup from Elle Irwin at 6:51, assisted by Schierbeek. Riley contributed significantly in the closing minutes, hitting a crucial three-pointer at 3:10 and adding a layup at 1:58 to increase the lead. Despite a late jumper from Kennedy Osterman for the Prairie Stars, Ferris State secured the road victory.

Schierbeek led the team with 17 points, including three three-pointers, and recorded two blocks and two steals. Blanchard scored 14 points and collected seven rebounds while also adding four assists. Riley contributed 10 points, making all three of her field goal attempts, and tallied three steals. Hiram posted 12 points and grabbed nine rebounds with two steals.

Rice delivered a noteworthy performance, scoring 12 points and securing six rebounds, while also contributing two steals for UIS. Mingus matched her offensive output with 12 points, and added three steals. Knight was effective on both ends, tallying nine points, four assists and three steals. Wheeler added to the defensive effort with three steals, alongside scoring five points.

The Bulldogs will return home to host Hillsdale in a regional home contest on Wednesday, Nov. 26, with tipoff slated for 1 p.m. (ET) inside Jim Wink Arena.