Ferris State Pulls Out Close Home Win Over Parkside For Third-Straight Victory

Postgame Highlights & Interview 

BIG RAPIDS, Mich. — The Ferris State University men's basketball squad claimed its third win of the past week as FSU pulled out a narrow 74-72 victory over Parkside on Monday (Jan. 5) night inside Jim Wink Arena.

Ferris State's balanced attack was highlighted by 22 team assists and a 47.5% shooting performance from the field in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) encounter. The Bulldogs improved to 6-5 overall and 3-1 in the GLIAC with the win.

FSU began the first half with strong play, highlighted by senior Brandon Claerbaut's early three-pointer and subsequent free throws to establish a 5-1 lead. Despite Parkside's brief 8-7 edge following a fastbreak dunk by Paxton Warden at 16:05, the Bulldogs responded with a series of plays that included a layup by Joey Cabana and a fastbreak three-pointer from Chang Hoth at 5:28. The run helped Ferris State regain control. Dominating in the paint with 16 points and securing 27 rebounds, Ferris State closed the half ahead by a 32-21 score.

Ferris State increased its lead to as many as 15 points early in the second half before Parkside fought back within striking distance. FSU maintained a narrow lead throughout much of the second half, with Hoth contributing significantly through a layup and a three-pointer in the early stretch. Despite Parkside's efforts, the Bulldogs' advantage was preserved by key plays from Justin Asi, including a layup at 9:15 and a crucial assist to Claerbaut for a three-pointer with four minutes to play.

As the game wound down, Bryce Moore secured the victory with two free throws with just over 10 seconds to play and grabbed a critical rebound on Warden's potential game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer as FSU closed out the win.

Hoth led the team with 14 points and dished out six assists while adding six rebounds. Owen Hardy contributed 11 points on perfect shooting from the field, adding seven rebounds and two steals. Claerbaut matched the team-high with 14 points, including two three-pointers, and grabbed six rebounds. Moore provided a defensive presence with three blocks and facilitated the offense with six assists to go with 10 points. Asi also finished with 14 points and grabbed seven rebounds while handing out three assists.

Josiah Palmer led Parkside with 27 points, converting 10 of 13 field goals, including three from beyond the arc. He also contributed defensively with three steals. Warden added 14 points on 6-of-17 shooting and provided four assists. Luka Mateski was effective at the line, making eight-of-nine free throw attempts to finish with 16 points. Braden McGlothlin facilitated the offense with five assists and secured nine rebounds. Fawaz Surakat contributed defensively with two steals and added six rebounds to his nine-point performance.

The Bulldogs finished shooting 61.5% in the second half and made seven-of-15 (43.6%) three's for the night. FSU also went 11-of-15 (73.3%) at the free throw line.

On the glass, Ferris State posted a 38-28 rebounding advantage and FSU had nine offensive boards, which led to a 11-9 edge in second chance scoring. The Bulldogs also came up with 24 points off the bench from Moore and Asi compared to only four points from the Parkside reserves. FSU held UWP to only 24.1% shooting in the opening half before the Rangers heated up in the second frame to shoot 43.1% overall.

FSU also blocked five shots and came up with four steals in addition to finishing the night with 22 assists on 28 baskets.

The Bulldogs, who have now won four of their last five games overall, will head to Michigan's Upper Peninsula to face two of the league's top teams this coming week. FSU will first visit nationally top-10 ranked Michigan Tech on Saturday (Jan. 10) for a 2 p.m. (ET) league road tilt in Houghton before taking on Northern Michigan on Monday (Jan. 12) night in Marquette at 7:30 p.m. (ET).