UPSET! Ferris State Takes Down #4 North Georgia In Season Opener At D2CCA Tipoff Classic

Postgame Interview 

Erie, Pa. - The Ferris State University women's basketball squad opened the 2025-26 regular-season in a big way, beating preseason #4-ranked North Georgia by a 68-59 score on Friday (Nov. 7) at the Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) Tipoff Classic on the campus of Gannon University in Erie, Pa.

The Bulldogs were fueled by a 32-point advantage in fast-break points in the triumph.

Ferris State started strong in the first quarter against North Georgia, ending with a decisive 20-7 lead. Early in the game, Zaynah Preston put North Georgia on the board with a three-pointer at 9:11, but FSU freshman Charlotte Miller quickly responded with a three-pointer of her own at 8:09 to tie the score. The Bulldogs gained momentum with key contributions from Kadyn Blanchard, who scored a layup at 6:35 and another at 3:42, ultimately assisting Emma Schierbeek on a fast-break three-pointer at 3:28. Blanchard also set up Grace Lyons for a fast-break layup with 31 seconds left, capping off Ferris State's dominant first quarter.

The Bulldogs maintained a steady lead through the second quarter, starting with a three-pointer from North Georgia's Averie Jones at 9:36, assisted by Hannah Cail, bringing the score to 20-10. Mia Riley responded for Ferris State with a fast-break jumper at 4:49, extending the lead to 22-16. Despite North Georgia's strong rebounding effort, pulling down 20 boards, the Bulldogs capitalized on their opportunities, highlighted by Schierbeek's layup with 1:23 remaining, pushing the score to 26-19. Ally Schultz capped the quarter with a three-pointer at 0:50, assisted by Elle Irwin, solidifying Ferris State's advantage at 29-24 by the end of the period.

In the third quarter, Ferris State's Blanchard made a strong impact with an early layup at 9:44, followed by a quick steal and another layup just 19 seconds later. Irwin contributed with assists on both plays, helping FSU build a lead. North Georgia's Caroline Martin kept the game close, sinking a three-pointer at 5:30 and later converting a fast-break layup at 4:37. Despite North Georgia's late push, including a three-pointer by Cail at 1:29, Ferris State maintained its edge with Riley's clutch three-pointer at 1:14, closing the quarter with a narrow 48-47 advantage.

In a closely contested final quarter, Ferris State overcame North Georgia with a 20-12 scoring advantage. Martin's free throws and jumper early in the period gave North Georgia a 51-48 lead. However, Ferris State's Blanchard responded with a layup, and later tied the game with a three-pointer from Schierbeek at 6:09. The momentum shifted further in FSU's favor when Blanchard hit another three-pointer and Riley added a fastbreak three, extending the lead to 63-56. The Bulldogs secured the victory with free throws from Riley and Blanchard in the closing minutes, ending the game 68-59.

Blanchard led FSU with 19 points, adding six assists and two steals to her performance while earning team MVP honors in the tournament game. Riley scored 20 points, including three 3-pointers, and collected seven rebounds. Irwin contributed two blocks and three assists. Miller finished with three points and four rebounds.

Martin led North Georgia with 17 points, sinking two 3-pointers and converting 5 of 6 from the free-throw line. She also contributed defensively with three steals. Cail added 13 points, including two shots from beyond the arc, and led with five field goals made. Jaleah Storr was effective on the boards, collecting eight rebounds while adding nine points and three assists.

The Bulldogs will square off against preseason #2-ranked Union (Tenn.) in day two action at the event on Saturday (Nov. 8) starting at 5 p.m. (ET) in Erie.