SWEET SIXTEEN! Ferris State Mounts Comeback To Knock Out Top Seed Indy En Route To Regional Title Game

Postgame Highlights & Interview 
Postgame Interview - Erickson 
Postgame Interview - Olayinka 
Postgame Press Conference 

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's basketball squad moved on to the NCAA Division II Sweet Sixteen and the Midwest Regional Championship Game, igniting a furious second-half comeback to pull out a 94-87 overtime victory over top-seeded Indianapolis on Sunday (March 17) night in the regional semifinals at Nicoson Hall.

The Bulldogs trailed by as many as 13 points with 10:48 to play in the game after falling behind by nine at the halftime break, but mounted a late charge and ultimately outscored the Greyhounds 39-30 in the final 20 minutes of regulation to knot the game up. Both teams had a potential final possession in the final 15 seconds of regulation, however neither could score.

In overtime, the Bulldogs made enough timely shots and hit several critical free throws to knock out the regional host and move into the regional final for the first time since claiming the school's first NCAA Division II National Championship back in 2018. FSU had reached the regional semifinals each of the past two years before bowing out.

With the win, Ferris State will face Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) counterpart Lake Superior State for the third time this season on Tuesday (March 19) evening in Indy with tipoff set for 7 p.m. (ET). The winner of Tuesday's game claims both the Midwest Regional Championship and earns a berth into the NCAA Division II Elite Eight.

The Bulldogs were led by the combination of senior guard Ben Davidson and junior guard Ethan Erickson, who both knocked down critical shots down the stretch and in overtime. Davidson scored a team-high 25 points while Erickson added 22 points. FSU also got 15 points from senior DeSean Munson on the inside along with 11 points by senior guard Amari Lee.

Overall, the Bulldogs shot 47.3% from the floor and made eight-of-19 (42.1%) three's in addition to 34-of-49 (69.4%) free throws. Ferris State went only 12-of-19 (63.2%) at the line in both halves of regulation, but came up big in overtime by making 10-of-11 (90.9%) overall.

Meanwhile, Indianapolis made 39.7% of its field goals and went nine-of-29 (31.0%) from the three-point arc along with 20-of-30 (66.7%) at the free throw line.

The Greyhounds were led by Jarvis Walker with 28 points and the duo of Kendrick Tchoua and David Ejah, who both totaled 16 points. Jesse Bingham added 14 points as UIndy closed the year with a 23-9 overall mark.

UIndy finished with a 45-36 edge on the glass and pulled down 14 offensive boards to only five for FSU, but the Bulldogs got 48 points from their bench compared to only four for the hosts. FSU also outscored the Greyhounds 17-5 on the break and finished with only seven turnovers in the game.

The game featured seven lead changes and was tied eight times, but Ferris State only led for 3:52 overall with the bulk coming in overtime.

The Bulldogs improved to 27-7 overall with the win, which was FSU's eighth in a row this season.

Ferris State, which is midst its 17th all-time NCAA Tournament appearance, has reached the regional final for the third time under head coach Andy Bronkema.

Tuesday's championship game will be carried live by Sunny 97.3 FM and the Bulldog Sports Network with online coverage available at FerrisStateBulldogs.com. A live pay-per-view video webcast will also be offered at NCAA.com.