Ferris State Women's Basketball Season Comes To A Close In NCAA Tournament

Postgame Press Conference 
Postgame Highlights 

ALLENDALE - The nation's 16th-ranked Ferris State University women's basketball squad had its memorable campaign come to a close on Friday (March 13) as the Bulldogs fell to Missouri St.-Louis by a 70-59 score in the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional Tournament at the Grand Valley State Fieldhouse Arena.

The Bulldogs concluded the year with a school record tying 26 wins, finishing 26-7 overall. FSU also advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time in five seasons and the ninth time in program history.

The second-seeded Bulldogs held a double-digit second half lead but could not come away with the win, despite forcing 17 turnovers and securing 44 rebounds. The seventh-seeded Tritons surged ahead in the finale frame with a decisive 33-point fourth quarter to secure the victory and move on to the regional semifinals.

The first quarter commenced with both teams vying for early control, resulting in four lead changes. FSU took an initial lead with a 3-pointer by senior Emma Schierbeek at 8:17. UMSL responded with a series of successful plays, including a layup by Mara Rieder at 4:35, contributing to its seven-point advantage by the end of the quarter. Despite the Bulldogs' defensive efforts, including two blocks, the Tritons capitalized on five turnovers to close the quarter ahead, 17-10.

In the second quarter, Missouri-St. Louis began with a 3-pointer by Jayden Kuper, establishing an early lead. Ferris State responded with a series of layups, including two from Mara Mitchell, to edge ahead 21-20. However, the Tritons regained momentum with consecutive baskets, including a fast-break layup by Anna Costa Riera, pushing its lead to 29-23. Morgan Ramthun's layup extended the advantage, closing the quarter with the visitors ahead 31-23. The Bulldogs' defense was notable, forcing four turnovers, but struggled offensively, missing several key shots late in the quarter.

Ferris State dominated the third quarter, outscoring UMSL by a 22-6 margin. Senior Mia Riley was pivotal, contributing a layup and a free throw to cut the deficit early. Later, she assisted senior Mya Hiram on a jumper and then sank a 3-pointer at the 6:16 mark, giving Ferris State a 38-34 lead. Senior Elle Irwin and Schierbeek each added a 3-pointer, widening the margin. The Bulldogs' defensive pressure was evident with seven steals and limited Missouri-St. Louis to just two field goals in the quarter.

In the final quarter, Missouri-St. Louis surged ahead to defeat the Bulldogs with a decisive 33-14 run, overcoming FSU's earlier 12-point lead. Ferris State initially led with a pair of early baskets from senior Kadyn Blanchard, including a fastbreak layup at 9:04. However, UMSL responded with a strong shooting performance, highlighted by Kuper's multiple 3-pointers, including a critical one at 1:07 that extended its lead. Costa Riera contributed significantly with multiple assists and secured the victory with free throws in the closing seconds.

Riley led the Bulldogs with 16 points, including three 3-pointers, and added three steals. Blanchard contributed 12 points and recorded four steals while collecting eight rebounds. Hiram finished with 13 points and grabbed six rebounds. Schierbeek made three 3-pointers, totaling nine points and securing five rebounds.

Kuper led the Tritons with 25 points, connecting on 7 of 9 shots from beyond the arc, and added four steals and two blocks. Lexi Hanna contributed 17 points, converting 5 of 11 three-point attempts while also recording two steals. Rieder was a force on the boards with 13 rebounds, including two on the offensive end, and tallied three blocks. Costa Riera facilitated the offense with six assists and secured 11 rebounds.

The setback concluded the careers of six Bulldog seniors, including Blanchard, Hiram, Riley, Irwin, Schierbeek and Ally Schultz, who finished their careers as the all-time winningest senior class in Bulldog history. Together, they helped FSU reach the NCAA Tournament four times in five seasons, including a NCAA D2 Semifinal showing two years ago.