#19 Ferris State Earns Regional Home Win Over Hillsdale With Strong Second Half

Postgame Interview & Highlights 

BIG RAPIDS, Mich. — The nationally 19th-ranked Ferris State University woemn's basketballs quad secured a 79-68 victory over Hillsdale on Wednesday (Nov. 26) afternoon, earning another key regional win to improve to 6-1 on the year.

The Bulldogs came up with 17 steals and scored 27 points off turnovers in claiming the win. The Bulldogs established a commanding 19-point lead in the fourth quarter and stayed in front down the stretch for the double-digit win.

The game began with FSU taking an early lead, thanks to a jumper and a fastbreak layup by senior Mia Riley, putting the home team up 4-0 in the early going. Hillsdale responded with a 9-4 run, highlighted by a three-pointer from Annalise Pietrzyk at 7:23, giving the Chargers their first lead. Despite a layup from senior Mya Hiram at 3:37 to keep the Bulldogs close, a fastbreak three-pointer by Magdalena Sularski extended Hillsdale's advantage. Emma Schierbeek's three-pointer at 2:19 brought FSU within three points, but Hillsdale held on to a 14-11 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Sophomore Grace Lyons scored early in the second quarter for Ferris State, but the Chargers responded with a three-pointer by Maddie Smith, assisted by Savannah Smith, to maintain a slim lead. The Bulldogs then surged ahead as Riley and Ally Schultz combined for a sequence of baskets, with Schultz's layup at 8:39 bringing the score to 17-16. The game remained tight, with the lead changing multiple times. A late layup and free throw from Ellie Bruce gave Hillsdale a narrow 33-32 advantage, but a last-second free throw by FSU senior Kadyn Blanchard tied the game at the buzzer, ending the first half at 33-33 on the scoreboard.

Ferris State outperformed Hillsdale in the third quarter, extending the lead with a series of successful plays. Hiram initiated the scoring with two free throws at 9:15, giving the Bulldogs a slight edge. Riley capitalized on her defensive rebound at 7:10 to drain a three-pointer, pushing the home team's advantage. Riley scored again with another three-pointer at 6:13, assisted by Blanchard, contributing to Ferris State's 27-point quarter. Hillsdale's late efforts included a 3-pointer by Pietrzyk at 1:21, but the Bulldogs maintained a comfortable margin, concluding the quarter ahead 60-49.

FSU maintained a steady lead throughout the fourth quarter, ultimately securing a 79-68 victory over the Chargers. Hiram contributed significantly with a defensive rebound and a layup at 9:00, pushing the score to 62-50. Riley was pivotal in the final minutes, hitting a layup at 5:20 and sinking two free throws with 11 seconds to go to extend the lead. Hillsdale's Savannah Smith and Pietrzyk tried to close the gap with key shots, but the Bulldogs' defense held firm. The final points of the game came from Emma Ruhlman's free throws for the Chargers as both teams each scored 19 points in the fourth period.

Riley led Ferris State with 22 points, connecting on eight-of-15 shots, including two three-pointers, and added three steals. Kadyn Blanchard contributed 13 points and delivered five assists. Mya Hiram posted 12 points on five-of-seven shooting, while also securing five rebounds. Elle Irwin collected six rebounds and recorded three steals.

Pietrzyk led Hillsdale with 17 points, connecting on six-of-12 field goal attempts and three-of-five from beyond the arc. She also contributed three assists and five rebounds. Ellie Bruce added 15 points, converting five-of-10 shots from the field and five-of-seven free throws, while also recording three blocks and seven rebounds. Sarah Aleknavicius facilitated the offense with six assists, scoring seven points and collecting three rebounds. Savannah Smith chipped in with 10 points, hitting four-of-five from the free-throw line, alongside four rebounds and three assists.

Overall, the Bulldogs shot 44.6% from the floor and made seven-of-28 (25.0%) three's along with 14-of-19 (73.7%) free throws. FSU held a 27-20 edge in points off turnovers, forcing 23 Charger miscues overall. The defense limited HC to only 40% shooting.

Ferris State will open Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) play on the road on Thursday, Dec. 4, at Purdue Northwest with tipoff set for 6 p.m. (ET) in Hammond, Ind. FSU then visits Wayne State on Saturday, Dec. 6, for a 1 p.m. (ET) league matchup.