Ferris State Takes Rival GVSU To The Wire In Close League Road Setback

Postgame Highlights & Interview 

Allendale, Mich. - The Ferris State University men's basketball squad took archrival Grand Valley State to the wire on Thursday (Feb. 26) night in a tightly-contested Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) tilt before a capacity crowd before falling by a score of 72-64 at the GVSU Fieldhouse Arena.

Despite the loss, the Bulldogs managed to stay competitive throughout, recording 42 rebounds and seeing 13 ties in the game.

FSU opened the game with a scoring burst, highlighted by senior Mykel Bingham's layup just 42 seconds into the contest. The teams exchanged leads frequently, with the Bulldogs maintaining an aggressive presence in the paint, scoring 18 points inside. Sophomore Tae Boyd's layup at 5:16 gave the Bulldogs a brief five-point advantage, but the Lakers responded with consistent shooting to edge ahead. A late dunk by Owen Hardy, assisted by Brandon Claerbaut, brought the Bulldogs within three as the first half concluded with the Lakers leading 39-36.

Ferris State initiated the second half with a crucial defensive stand and consistent scoring from Hardy, who secured an early jumper in the paint. Boyd and Bingham contributed to maintaining a competitive edge with key baskets, including a 3-pointer by Bingham at 13:40 that extended the Bulldogs' lead to five points. However, turnovers and a strong response from the Lakers in the final minutes shifted momentum. The Bulldogs trailed by one before a late 3-pointer by the Lakers' Mason Docks extended their lead. Ultimately, the Lakers came away with the triumph.

Bingham scored 12 points and recorded nine rebounds, contributing significantly in both scoring and defense. Hardy posted 14 points and collected 10 rebounds, achieving a double-double performance. Boyd added 13 points and grabbed seven rebounds, showing consistency on the court. Joey Cabana made a key three-pointer and converted all four of his free-throw attempts, adding seven points overall.

Trevor Smith Jr. led Grand Valley State with 19 points, shooting 7-for-17 from the field and adding four steals. Ethan Alderink contributed 12 points on 5-for-10 shooting, along with five rebounds. Jalen Charity scored 10 points and secured seven rebounds. Docks added eight points and two steals, while also dishing out two assists.

The Bulldogs will close out GLAIC regular-season play on Saturday (Feb. 28) at Davenport with tipoff time set for 3 p.m. (ET) in Caledonia, Mich.