CHAMPIONSHIP BOUND! Ferris State Advances To GLIAC Tournament Championship Game With Big Semifinal Win!

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Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University women's basketball squad advanced to the 2026 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Tournament Championship Game with a high-scoring 104-86 win over Wayne State in the semifinals on Saturday (March 7) at the GVSU Fieldhouse Arena in Allendale.

With the win, the Bulldogs will take on top-seeded host and rival Grand Valley State in the tournament final on Sunday (March 8) starting at 3 p.m. (ET).

FSU matched a school-record set only two years ago by notching its 26th win of the campaign, improving to 26-5 overall this season.

The Bulldogs hit a school single-game record 20 three-pointers to secure the victory and capitalized on Wayne State's 14 turnovers, converting them into 13 points.

The first quarter began with Wayne State's Gabi Lutchka scoring a layup just 11 seconds into play. Ferris State quickly responded with senior Mia Riley converting an offensive rebound into a layup, tying the score at 2. Riley continued her strong performance, hitting a 3-pointer at 7:49 and another at 6:49, contributing to Ferris' early momentum. FSU's defensive pressure was evident as they forced five turnovers and secured three steals, helping them build a substantial lead. By the end of the quarter, the Bulldogs led 30-15, with Riley's scoring and the team's fastbreak points making a significant impact.

In the second quarter, Ferris extended its lead with a strong offensive performance, highlighted by senior Emma Schierbeek's three successful 3-pointers. Schierbeek contributed significantly to the scoring spree, including a shot at 9:15 assisted by senior Kadyn Blanchard. WSU struggled with turnovers, committing seven in the quarter, but managed to keep pace with Ferris through the scoring efforts of Taylor Thompson, who added a layup and a jumper to the scoreboard. Despite Wayne State's push, Ferris State maintained its advantage, ending the quarter ahead, 50-34.

FSU maintained its lead during a competitive third quarter against the Warriors, with Blanchard opening the scoring at 9:51 with a layup assisted by senior Mya Hiram. Hiram contributed significantly, adding a layup and a jumper to extend the Bulldogs' margin. Riley's three-pointer at 7:09 further boosted Ferris's score, despite Wayne State responding with their own scoring efforts, including a layup by McKenna Ferguson and a three-pointer from Jaci Tubergen. In the final seconds, Blanchard secured a three-pointer, assisted by Riley, ending the quarter with Ferris leading 71-59.

The Bulldogs secured a decisive victory over the Warriors with a strong performance in the final quarter. Schierbeek's early three-pointer at 9:23 extended the lead to 74-61, with Riley providing the assist. Hiram contributed significantly in the paint, adding multiple layups, while Blanchard's three-pointer at 2:11 pushed the lead further. In the closing seconds, Hiram's three-pointer solidified Ferris's win, concluding the game with a final quarter score of 104-86.

Blanchard led Ferris with 25 points, converting 10 of 14 field goals, including four 3-pointers, and added five assists. Riley matched the scoring with 25 points as well, making five 3-pointers and dishing out six assists while collecting eight rebounds. Schierbeek contributed 20 points, hitting six 3-pointers on 10 attempts. Hiram added 16 points and secured seven rebounds, also recording two steals.

Lutchka led the Warriors with 24 points, hitting 10 of 18 from the field, including four 3-pointers, while also securing 10 rebounds. Tubergen added 19 points, making 5 of 8 field goals and 3 of 5 from beyond the arc, and contributed six rebounds. Thompson scored 18 points on 8 of 18 shooting and collected seven rebounds along with two steals. Ferguson chipped in 16 points, with six field goals and two steals, complementing her four assists. Karrington Gordon facilitated the offense with three assists and added five points.

The win was FSU's second in three tries against Wayne State this year. WSU fell to 23-7 on the season.

Sunday's GLIAC Tournament Championship Game in Allendale will tipoff at 3 p.m. (ET) and tickets can be purchased in advance online at GVSUTickets.com.