GENERAL ATHLETICS: Brutus Remains Undefeated In 'Chase The Bulldog'

BIG RAPIDS - One of the popular activities for young kids, who come to Jim Wink Arena for Ferris State University basketball games, is the always-popular "Chase the Bulldog" event.

The kids chased, chased and chased some more, but were unable to catch Brutus the Bulldog as he remained undefeated.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Post-Game Press Conference Video

BIG RAPIDS - Ferris State University head coach Tracey Dorow and student-athlete Tiara Adams answered questions from the media during the post-game press conference.

The Bulldogs dropped a 75-58 decision to fourth-ranked Michigan Tech University in Jim Wink Arena on Jan. 30.

Here is the video:

HOCKEY: Ferris 3, Ohio State 3 (Bulldogs Win Shootout)

Sophomore defenseman Chad Billins (Marysville) delivered the decisive goal in a four-round 2-1 shootout decision as the nationally 10^th-ranked Ferris State University men's ice hockey team earned two Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) points following a 3-3 overtime tie against Ohio State this Saturday (Jan. 30) evening in the weekend series finale at OSU's Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio.

Billins, who scored the decisive goal in a league-record 22-skater shootout win at Miami earlier this season (11/14) in a 1-1 overtime tie, gives Ferris State 39 points in the league standings. The Bulldogs are presently 17-8-3 overall and 11-6-3-3 in the CCHA with the overtime tie.

Ferris State tallied the game's first goal as senior defenseman Matt Case (Plymouth, Minn.) scored on a shot from above the right circle which deflected off Ohio State's Sean Duddy into the Buckeye net at the 15:07 mark. Junior center Justin Menke (Shamrock, Saskatchewan) won the draw and pushed the puck over to junior forward Mike Embach (Orland Park, Ill.) on the left circle. Embach then delivered a cross ice pass over to Case, who fired the puck on the Ohio State goal and scored his fourth of the season with helping hand from the hosts. Ohio State appeared to register the equalizer with 18 seconds left in the first period but was disallowed following an official's video review having not crossed the goal line.

The Bulldogs stretched their lead to 2-0 early in the second period on a wraparound goal by senior right wing Aaron Lewicki (Livonia), his eighth of the season, at 2:59. Lewicki gathered the puck from the right side after accepting a pass from sophomore center Derek Graham (Schoolcraft) and skated around to the left where his shot initially hit the post which he promptly put into the Ohio State net. Ferris State's two-goal advantage would evaporate in a 40-second span as the Buckeyes received back-to-back lamplighters from C.J. Severyn at 5:03 and from Zac Dalpe at the 5:43 mark. Severyn scored on a rush to as his shot trickled into the far corner of the Ferris State net off of sophomore goaltender Taylor Nelson's (Regina, Saskatchewan) glove. Dalpe's goal also occurred on a shot beyond the crease which deflected off Nelson's glove for the equalizer.

The contest remained deadlocked for about the next six minutes until senior left wing Blair Riley (Kamloops, British Columbia) netted his team-leading 17^th of the season with 7:58 remaining in the second period. A flurry of action ensued in front of the Ohio State goal following a shot from the point by junior defenseman Zach Redmond (Traverse City). The Bulldog defender's shot went off senior center Casey Haines (Indiana, Pa.) to the back area of the Ferris State goal where senior right wing Cody Chupp (Big Rapids) gained control and passed to his right over to Riley, who was positioned between the left circle and the goal line.

Ohio State would draw into a 3-3 tie at 3:55 of the third by converting a power-play chance when Kyle Reed connected on a shot from inside the left circle which went through Taylor Nelson's five-hole. The Buckeyes connected with 11:21 left in the third period but the goal was voided due to goaltender interference by OSU's Peter Boyd. Both teams were assessed a penalty apiece in the final three minutes of regulation with the Bulldogs going on the power play for the last 1:15 of the third period. Ferris put on a late flurry of shots but was unable to get the decisive one past Carlson in the final seconds of regulation.

In the five-minute overtime period, neither team was to collect the breakthrough goal as the Buckeyes held a 3-1 edge in shots on goal in that stanza and a 33-24 advantage for the contest. The league-mandated shootout followed with Ohio State scoring on its first attempt by John Albert with a backhander thru Nelson's five hole. The Buckeyes would maintain their 1-0 lead going into Ferris' final third attempt after both Blair Riley and Zach Redmond were denied. Riley's attempt was stopped by Carlson while Redmond's shot went wide right. Zac Dalpe fanned on Ohio State's third chance which opened the door for Cody Chupp to net the shootout equalizer as he deked Carlson and slide into the right side of the Buckeyes' goal. Ohio State was thwarted on its next attempt and Chad Billins came up the hero with the winner. Billins skated in on the Ohio State goal and faked left top shelf before pulling the puck back to the right and putting the puck five-hole past Carlson.

Taylor Nelson (9-2-2) concluded the evening with 30 saves in 65 minutes of action while Dustin Carlson (2-8-1) turned away 21 Bulldogs shots.

Next on tap for Ferris State is a two-game CCHA home series against the Northern Michigan Wildcats next weekend (Feb. 5-6) at FSU's Ewigleben Ice Arena in Big Rapids, Mich. The puck will drop at 7:05 p.m. (EST) for Friday's (Feb. 5) opener while Saturday's (Feb. 6) contest is scheduled for a 7:35 p.m. (EST) start time and will be televised live on FS Detroit Plus. For ticket information, please contact the FSU Athletics Ticket Office at (231) 591-2888.

Source: Ferris State University Athletics Communications

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: No. 4 Michigan Tech 75, Ferris 58

BIG RAPIDS - The fact Michigan Tech University came into the game ranked fourth in the nation in Division II, and proved itself worthy of that ranking on Saturday.

The Huskies improved to 18-1 overall and 13-1 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference North Division standings following a 75-58 win over Ferris State University on Saturday afternoon in Jim Wink Arena. For the Bulldogs, it was another tough one to take, but this time against one of the elite teams in the nation as they dropped to 5-14 overall and 4-10 in the GLIAC standings.

"I feel our effort level was much better and our defense moved real well and they hit some tough shots at the end of the shot clock and then they had that one stretch where they made a big run and we didn't back down from that," said Ferris head coach Tracey Dorow, whose team has improved in taking care of the ball with only 12 turnovers again, but still struggled putting the ball in the hole. "Offensively, we've got to shoot the ball better."

The Bulldogs connected on just 29.5 percent from the floor, but interestingly enough hit 57 percent of their 3-point attempts (8-of-14).

"We're playing better, but we just need to shoot the ball better," said Dorow, whose squad was led in scoring by Tiara Adams, who finished with 16 points in 33 minutes of work. "They're a great team and they shot the ball really well."

Michigan Tech hit 9-of-21 3-point attempts for the game and shot 52 percent overall from the floor (26-of-50).

Adams, a Lansing native who has blossomed this year into a key starter for Ferris, had to work hard for her points as she finished the game hitting 6-of-21 shots for 16 points to go along with a team-best 11 rebounds. She also added three assists and three steals as the aggressive nature of her play has made her difficult to defend and tough for opposing teams to keep off the glass.

"I just try to work hard for position and I'm used to getting beat up down there because our post players are pretty big and so I just try to stay aggressive," Adams said.

Kelsey DeNoyelles and Tricia Principe each finished with 11 points. DeNoyelles had eight rebounds while Principe had seven.

Stephanie DeNoyelles and Lindsey Pettit each had six points, Becci Houdek had five and Kylie Muntz finished with three.

For the Huskies, Katie Zimmerman was on fire as she finished with 26 points and hit 8-of-13 shots (all from outside the 3-point arc). Danae Danen had 14 points and Katie Wysocky added 13 points and grabbed a game-best 13 rebounds.

MEN'S BASKETBALL: Ferris 67, Michigan Tech 63

BIG RAPIDS - Anyone who thought Ferris State University was going to roll to victory because Michigan Tech University has just four wins this season was sorely mistaken.

Ferris head coach Bill Sall has been around long enough to know that a team coached by Kevin Luke is not going to roll over for anyone. The Huskies competed from start to finish, but in the end it was a tough Ferris team that found a way to get it done en route to a 67-63 win on Saturday afternoon in Jim Wink Arena.

It was a big win to lift Ferris to 12-7 overall and 10-4 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference's North Division standings.

"That is a well coached team and they came to play today. That is one of those things where 'my goodness' and we had to come to play. Whenever we play Tech it's always a war," Sall said as his team had to play without Josh Young, who has a difficult family situation he is going through and is currently away from the team; Daniel Sutherlin, who is out with illness; and Dontae Molden, who was injured during the game and somewhat limited. "We had some major obstacles to overcome. Jim Boylan only played four minutes, but he had some key rebounds. Matt DeHart's defense was absolutely amazing in the second half."

"I am really comfortable with the ball in my hands and it's something we turn to if we need to," said Jon Yeazel, who finished with 12 points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals. "I've always been a drive-first player and that is where my comfort zone is from middle school to high school and to college. I like to get to the rack."

The Bulldogs had a game plan of attacking the taller Michigan Tech players, inside with Justin Keenan, with their quickness and speed. Keenan was particularly effective putting the ball on the floor and stroking the mid-range jump shot. But, he also used some back-to-the-basket work and crashed the offensive glass (a game-high four offensive rebounds).

"You can tell at the beginning of the year we went through that streak where we were meshing and we had a streak where we weren't playing as well, but now I think we're getting it inside to Keenan," said Yeazel, who started and played 29 minutes. "We do it in practice and it's showing up in games. We're executing our game plan."

Keenan led all scorers in the game with 26 points (8-of-12 shooting from the floor) to go with seven rebounds. He also hit 10-of-12 free throws in the contest.

Austin Randel added 11 points and Molden finished with 10 points.

For Michigan Tech (4-15 overall, 3-11 in the GLIAC), Ali Haidar led the scoring with 16 points.

Ferris led by as many as 11 points in the second half, but Tech roared back and pulled to within two points on a 3-pointer from Dan Fowler with 54 seconds to play.

The Bulldogs countered as they worked the ball inside to Keenan who was fouled and made two big free throws to put the game away.

HOCKEY: Tough Stretch Not Over For Ferris

BIG RAPIDS - I've been reading and hearing a lot about how Ferris State University got through its tough stretch of the hockey season through the first three quarters of the month of January.

Contrary to some popular opinion, that is not the case. In fact, this stretch that begins with Ohio State University (the Bulldogs lost 5-3 to the Bulldogs on Friday night) and continues through the end of February is going to be just as tough (if not tougher). National rankings do not the end all be all in analyzing the quality of teams. Looking ahead, Ferris wraps up its series with Ohio State tonight and then is back home to host Northern Michigan University for two games (Feb. 5-6).

Those will not be easy games for the Bulldogs. The Central Collegiate Hockey Association is a tough conference and going on the road will be no easy task for Ferris.

From there, head coach Bob Daniels and his squad will be at Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie for a two-game series with the Lakers (Feb. 12-13). It won't be any easier to win there than it is in Yost Ice Arena (University of Michigan) or Munn Ice Arena (Michigan State University).

Those will not be easy.

The Bulldogs then play in a home-and-home series against nationally-ranked Michigan State University (Feb. 19-20).

Those definitely will not be easy.

Then, Ferris closes out the regular season with a home-and-home series with U.S. 131 rival Western Michigan University (Feb. 26-27). Anyone who has been down to Lawson Ice Arena knows that it will not be easy to play in that barn.

Fans have to realize there is a lot of hockey left to be played as the Bulldogs battle to finish in the top four of the standings to earn a coveted first-round bye in the CCHA Tournament. This league is about more than just Miami University, Michigan, Michigan State and Notre Dame.

Schools like Lake Superior, Northern, Ohio State and Western are tough to handle, especially at home.

It's too early to celebrate.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Kylie Muntz Pulls Up And Scores

BIG RAPIDS - Ferris State University is getting good production from freshman guard Kylie Muntz.

The Ohio native of Dayton pulls up in the lane and drains a mid-range jumper on Thursday evening in Jim Wink Arena against Northern Michigan University.

HOCKEY: Ohio State 5, Ferris State 3

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio State exacted some revenge from the 10th-ranked Ferris State University men's ice hockey team as the Buckeyes recorded four of the game's final six goals to hand the Bulldogs a 5-3 loss in Friday (Jan. 29) evening in a Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) tilt at OSU's Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio.

Earlier this season Nov. 20-21), Ferris State swept a league home series from Ohio State as the Bulldogs prevailed 8-1 and 6-5 in overtime.

The setback drops Ferris State to 17-8-2 overall and 11-6-2-2 in the league while Ohio State improved to 11-13-1 overall and 9-9-1-1 in conference competition. The Bulldogs, who were victorious in nine of their past 10 outings in one stretch, have won once in their last five appearances to date.

Ohio State jumped on the board just under four minutes into the first period as Zac Dalpe back-handed the puck from above the shaded crease past goaltender Pat Nagle (Bloomfield) into the Bulldogs' net. Ferris State would erase the 1-0 deficit only 1:28 later when sophomore defenseman Chad Billins (Marysville) ripped a laser shot from near the blueline into the OSU net to netminder Cal Heeter's stick side. Senior left wing Blair Riley (Kamloops, British Columbia) set up FSU scoring play by skating into the left side of the Buckeye zone and leaving the puck for a trailing Chad Billins, who recorded his second goal of the season. Ohio State's Sergio Somma cut the 1-1 tie with 6:59 to go in the opening frame on a tap in from the left edge of the crease as both teams posted 11 shots on goal apiece.

In the second period, Ohio State increased its lead to 3-1 by capitalizing on a Ferris State penalty to freshman center Travis Ouellette (Windsor, Ontario) as Chris Reed tallied a power-play goal for the hosts with a slap shot from beyond the right circle. The Bulldogs managed to slice OSU's lead to 3-2 at the 8:23 mark when junior center Justin Menke (Shamrock, Saskatchewan) connected for his sixth lamplighter of the season on a shot outside the inner portion of the left circle as the puck sailed above Cal Heeter's stick inside the left post. Senior defenseman Matt Case (Plymouth, Minn.) carried the puck from behind the Ferris goal into the neutral zone where he dished off to Travis Ouellette. The freshman forward's shot was intercepted by a Buckeye defender, who shot the puck toward the Bulldog zone. However, the puck took a fortunate Ferris State bounce by hitting off Matt Case's back leg, who was in the process of getting back on the defensive end, and went over to Justin Menke for Ferris' second score of the contest. The Bulldogs outshot the hosts by a 17-8 count for the second period.

The teams combined for three goals in the final 20 minutes with Ohio State accounting for two of them, including the period's initial one. Matt Bartkowski scored OSU's second power-play goal of the night at 2:06 into the period to make it a 4-2 contest. Ferris rallied again to trim the Buckeyes' lead to 4-3 as sophomore defenseman Brett Wysopal (LaGrange Park, Ill.) lite the lamp with a blast from above the left circle into the top far corner of the OSU goal past Heeter's glove. As the momentum started to gravitate toward Ferris State, Ohio State responded exactly two minutes later as Peter Boyd scored in the slot to get the Buckeyes' lead back to two goals (5-3). FSU pulled its netminder toward the final minute but was thwarted in any possible comeback.

Ferris State, which did outshoot Ohio State by a 49-30 margin, received 25 saves from Pat Nagle (8-6-1). Cal Heeter (9-5-1) claimed the victory for Ohio State with a 46-saves performance.

The Bulldogs will look to gain a series split this Saturday (Jan. 30) evening when the teams hook up for the final time this regular season at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio, with a 7:05 p.m. (EST) puck drop.

Notes: Ferris State's 49 shots on goal was the second-highest total this season, second only to the 52 shots against Robert Morris (10/24) . . . Chad Billins' goal was his first since Oct. 17 against Connecticut and also snapped a 13-game scoreless streak . . . FSU has received two goals from a defensemen in its last two outings -- against Michigan (1/23) and at Ohio State (1/29) . . . Brett Wysopal scored a lamplighter to end a 10-game non-goal scoring string. His previous tally came at the expense of Nebraska-Omaha (12/5) . . . Ohio State's win marked only its second in the last 11 series meetings with the Bulldogs . . . Blair Riley's assist represented his eighth point (2-6=8) this month in nine outings.

Source: Ferris State University Athletics Communications

Pictured is Blair Riley

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Becci Houdek Scores In The Paint

BIG RAPIDS - During Thursday night's game in Jim Wink Arena, against Northern Michigan University, junior guard Becci Houdek scores in the paint for Ferris State University.

Houdek's shot is sweet because she makes a post-type move in the paint and scores with the left hand.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Northern 56, Ferris 54

BIG RAPIDS - Trailing by as many as 12 points, at 14:49 of the second half, Ferris State University made a furious rally to pull to within one shot with seconds left on the clock.

Becci Houdek had a shot at the basket, with three seconds to go, but could not connect as Northern Michigan University hung on for a 56-54 win over the Bulldogs in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference action on Thursday evening in Jim Wink Arena. With the loss, Ferris falls to 5-12 overall and 4-8 in league play while the Wildcats improve to 12-5 overall and 4-8 in conference action.

"I think we did some good things," Ferris head coach Tracey Dorow said. "There were times where we took too many quick shots. We didn't rebound very well and we only had two offensive rebounds for the game. It's hard to win games when you're not getting very many second and third chances."

Houdek led Ferris with 12 points, five rebounds and six assists. Tiara Adams reached double digits in the scoring column with 10 points as she also added four rebounds. Leah Kebler, who got the start with normal starter Amy Joostberns out of the lineup, had seven points and six rebounds, Tricia Principe had seven points and four rebounds and Kylie Muntz had seven points, two rebounds and two assists.

"We just need to come in with the confidence that we can play with these teams," Houdek said. "We need to get in there and rebound better and make sure we're doing the little things a lot better."

For Northern, Christa Erickson led the way with 18 points, Steffani Stoeger had 12 and Angie Leckson totaled 10.

The Wildcats shot just 34.5 percent from the game, but hit nine 3-pointers (Ferris hit four) and won the battle on the boards outrebounding Ferris 41-31 (and holding the Bulldogs to just two offensive rebounds as Coach Dorow mentioned). Whenever it seemed Northern needed a big shot - it got it (and usually from beyond the long line). Erickson hit 6-of-10 from downtown, Stoeger hit 2-of-7 and Elicia Derusha hit 1-of-3. The Cats shot 25 triples and hit 36 percent of those attempts.

The Bulldogs trailed by 12, but did rally to give themselves a chance at the end.

"We were down by 12 points and we put ourselves in a big hole," Dorow said. "We shouldn't have let it come down to a situation where it was one or two calls."

Ferris returns to the hardwood on Saturday when it hosts nationally-ranked Michigan Tech University in Jim Wink Arena with a 1 p.m. start time.

MEN'S BASKETBALL: Ferris 82, Northern Michigan 75

BIG RAPIDS - The game plan was a simple one, but the Ferris State University made sure to stick with it from start to finish against Northern Michigan University.

With a front line that features 6-foot-10, 6-foot-9 and 6-foot-8, the height advantage clearly was on the side of Northern. But, the speed, quickness and depth favored the Bulldogs. Ferris pushed the basketball up the court - early and often - and seemed to wear down the Wildcats by the end of the game to claim an 82-75 victory before a crowd of 715 in Jim Wink Arena.

"We started a little flat, but about the 10-minute mark we played with a little more intensity like we wanted," Ferris head coach Bill Sall said as his team now has won five straight Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference contests. "You have 22 games and you're not going to be able to go crazy all the time, but I think after that I was pretty satisfied with our effort."

That effort paid off as Ferris used its depth to wear down NMU.

The minutes logged by Northern's starters ultimately proved too much as Chris Warner and Raymont McElroy played 39, Marc Renelique played 35, Mylan Murphy played 37 and Jared Benson played 26. Only one substitute off the bench had a double-figure minute total and that was Eric Hawley with 14.

Ferris, on the other hand, had balanced minutes and balanced scoring. Offensively, the Bulldogs were led by Justin Keenan who had 26 points and nine rebounds. With 12 points apiece were Matt DeHart and Austin Randel while Jon Yeazel and Darien Gay added 10 points each in the victory.

"At the offensive end I thought we did a better job of moving the ball around a little more, but that still has to become more consistent," Sall said. "There were times we looked for the extra pass and when we do our offense clicks. They switched their defenses a lot and it is kind of tough to get your looks."

The smaller lineup utilized by Ferris won the battle against the taller Northern team as the Wildcats could not take advantage of their advantage.

Ferris hit 52.8 percent of its field goals, 46.7 percent of its 3-pointers and drained 90.5 from the free throw line.

With the win, Sall's squad improves to 11-7 overall and 9-4 in the GLIAC standings.

"We feel like this is a great turning point of the season," Keenan said. "We got a couple of tough wins on the road and it's nice to be able to come back and have the students and our families and fans here to support us."

The Bulldogs return to their home court on Saturday when they host Michigan Tech University with tip off scheduled for 3 p.m. in Jim Wink Arena.

FOOTBALL: Another Verbal Commitment To Ferris Football Announced

Ferris State University looks as though it will be dipping into the Midland area as part of its recruiting class for 2010.

The Midland Daily News has announced the commitment of defensive back Eric Decker, a Sanford-Meridian High School product, to Ferris for football.

Here is an excerpt from the Midland Daily News story written by Dan Chalk:

(Eric) Decker, a co-MVP of the Daily News Football Dream Team after a stellar senior season, made a verbal commitment Monday to play football next year at Ferris, which is awarding him a full-tuition athletics scholarship.

The 5-foot-10, 174-pound Decker said Bulldogs' coach Jeff Pierce is looking at him as a defensive back, a position he played at Meridian in addition to running back.

Former Ferris defensive back Nick Beaudry is an assistant football coach at Sanford-Meridian.

SOFTBALL: Preseason NFCA Poll Is Out And Ferris State University Picks Up Votes

BIG RAPIDS - From a weather standpoint, it may seem a little odd to be discussing college softball right now.

But, the National Fastpitch Coaches Association is already on the ball with the announcement of its 2010 NFCA Division II Preseason Poll.
Ferris State University, which finished with a record of 35-10 overall and qualified for the NCAA Division II Tournament, placed among "others receiving votes" in the poll. Head coach Keri Becker's squad has traditionally ranked among the top teams in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, the region and at times the nation.

2010 NFCA Division II Preseason Poll

Rank	Team	2009 Record
1	Alabama-Huntsville (14)	54-6
2	North Georgia	50-5
3	Winona St. (1)	50-13
4	Dixie St.	41-13
5	Indianapolis	37-21
6	Valdosta St.	57-8
7	Le Moyne	45-12
8	Missouri Western St.	47-12
9	California (Pa.)	35-10
10	Saginaw Valley	39-11
11	Humboldt St.	38-20
12	Nebraska-Omaha	45-17
13	S.C. Aiken	34-16
14	Kutztown	46-12-1
15	Nova Southeastern	49-15
16	Metro St.	40-12
17	Abilene Christian	43-15
18	C.W. Post	34-18
19	Angelo St.	50-10
20	Wayne St. (Mich.)	40-16
21	Wayne St. (Neb.)	41-21
22	West Texas A&M	35-21
23	Mesa St.	30-21
24	Carson-Newman	32-17
25	Lock Haven (1)	51-6

Others receiving votes:
Bloomsburg 46, Rollins 37, Caldwell 31, Georgia College 29, Cal St.-Monterey Bay 28, Hawaii Pacific 21, Georgian Court 19, St. Edward’s 16, Emporia St. 15, Ashland 10, Augustana (S.D.) 10, Ferris St. 8, Midwestern St. 6, Southwest Minn. St. 6, East Stroudsburg 3, Montana St.-Billings 3, NYIT 3, Concordia-St. Paul 2, Florida Southern 1, Lewis 1, Regis (Colo.) 1

Ferris is scheduled to open up its 2010 season on Feb. 19-21 at the Alabama-Huntsville's Charger Chillout in Decatur, Ala. The Bulldogs will play six games during the three-day tourney, beginning Feb. 19 against North Alabama at noon.

FOOTBALL: Lansing State Journal Announces Ferris State University Commit

Below is an excerpt from a story in the Lansing State Journal about a verbal commitment to play football at Ferris State University.

Linebacker Jacob Baldino, who is prepping at DeWitt High School in the Lansing area, has committed to Ferris, for football, according to the Lansing State Journal:

Here is the excerpt:

BIG RAPIDS - DeWitt linebacker Jacob Baldino has verbally committed to Ferris State, becoming the fifth from his high school team to pick a college football program for next season.

The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Baldino made the State Journal all-area Dream Team last season after totalling 109 tackles and four sacks. He'll sign a week from today.

HOCKEY: Ferris State University Hockey Team Achieving Academic Success

BIG RAPIDS - The success achieved by the nationally-ranked 2009-10 Ferris State University men's ice hockey team has not only occurred on the ice during this current season, but also in the classroom.

The 2009-10 team registered a combined grade point average of 3.46 for the 2009 fall semester. Furthermore, 24 of the 26 student-athletes on the squad recorded above a 3.00 grade point average.

"I'm extremely proud of the accomplishments which this team has displayed on the ice but also equally proud of our student-athlete's accomplishments in the classroom and in the community," said FSU head coach Bob Daniels. "While the success achieved this season will become a memory for our guys in the future, the success they've earned in the classroom will be of benefit to them the rest of their lives.

"I would like to commend the efforts of our coaching staff, Drew (Famulak) and Mark (Kaufman), for recruiting these quality student-athletes. Our success, in part, is the result of us being able to spend more time coaching instead of having to focus our attention on their academics," added Daniels.

On the ice, Ferris State has compiled a 17-7-2 overall with a third-place 11-5-2-2 mark in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA). The Bulldogs' overall record to date this season presently represents the third best in the program's history, trailing only the 1979-80 team (20-6-0) and the record-setting 2002-03 squad (18-7-1 record).

The Bulldogs are currently ranked 10th nationally in both the U.S. College Hockey Online.com and USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine polls. FSU, which has won 10 of its last 14 outings, is listed 12th by Inside College Hockey.com.

Source: Ferris State University Athletics Communications

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Ferris Recruit Nikki Arner Shines On The Hardwood For Ludington

Nikki Arner, a 6-foot-1 forward who plays for Ludington High School, is making quite a name for herself on the hardwood.

Headed to Ferris State University next year, to continue her basketball career at the college level, Arner is making waves on the court in her final season of prep basketball.

Here is an excerpt from a Muskegon Chronicle story written by Scott Brandenburg:

“I don’t really pattern my game after any one person,’’ said Arner. “I can’t really do the things (MJ and Kobe) do, but I take what I see and try to put it into my game.’’

As it turned out, Arner was blessed with height, growing to 6-foot-1, in addition to her growing desire to hit the court.

If Arner had settled into just playing the post with her height she still would have been a good player.

The Ludington senior is much more than an inside presence, though.

Arner credits former varsity coach Dina Hackert with helping her realize her full potential by developing her ball-handling and perimeter shooting and current Coach Al Druskin for continuing the tutelage.

Now Arner can hurt teams from anywhere on the court and is a matchup nightmare for most high-school teams.

“Nikki has more of a freestyle type of game similar to Rip Hamilton’s where she’s constantly moving around and slashing to the basket,’’ said Druskin. “We, and Nikki, have seen every kinds of junk defense imaginable. Teams throw everything at her.’’

Check out the full Muskegon Chronicle story:
http://highschoolsports.mlive.com/news/article/5967109996378804825/nikki-arner-ignites-ludington-girls-basketball-team-with-all-around-game/

MEN'S BASKETBALL: Ferris Ready To Face Northern Michigan University

BIG RAPIDS - After winning four straight road games, a resurgent Ferris State University squad is back home and back to playing the kind of basketball it played earlier in the campaign when it was close to dominant on the hardwood.

The Bulldogs return to Jim Wink Arena Thursday (Jan. 28), at 8 p.m., when they host Northern Michigan University and they wrap up the week on Saturday (Jan. 30) afternoon, at 3 p.m., with a contest against Michigan Tech University.

Ferris is 10-7 overall and 8-4 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and fresh off an 86-73 win over Northwood University last Saturday in Midland. Justin Keenan continues to lead this team averaging 18.4 points and 6.4 rebounds. Darien Gay is averaging 11.1 points and connecting on 48.6 percent of his shots from outside of the 3-point arc. Everyone had high expectations for those two, entering the season, but the Bulldogs have gotten contributions from Jon Yeazel, Josh Young and Austin Randel (all averaging nine or more points a game).

The Wildcats are 7-9 overall and 4-8 in GLIAC under the dean of coaches (both literally and figuratively) in the conference, Dean Ellis, who is in his 24th season leading the Northern program. Northern, currently, is on a touogh streak having lost five in a row. The team's top scorer is second-year guard Raymont McElroy, who is averaging 17.6 points. In their most recent action, the Wildcats dropped a 59-56 road game to Saginaw Valley State University.

This is the first meeting of the season between the teams.

Notes: Justin Keenan was named GLIAC North Division Player of the Week for the second week in a row on Monday (Jan. 25) ... Lou Williams has 95 career blocked shots and needs five more to earn his 100th (he is third all time in FSU history) ... Keenan ranks fourth place on Ferris’ career free throws list with 457 free throws made (he is 25 away from third all time ... Keenan is two points from 1,300 for his career (he ranks 15th on the school’s career leaders list).

Photo by Ed Hyde (the photo is of Bulldog player Josh Young)

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Ferris To Take On Challenge Of Quality (To High-Quality) UP Schools

BIG RAPIDS - Coming off a bitterly-disappointing loss to Northwood University, a game Ferris State University seemed to have control of most of the evening, the Bulldogs have to bounce back to face two more strong teams this weekend.

Ferris is back on the hardwood Thursday (Jan. 28) when it hosts Northern Michigan University and finishes the weekend with a Saturday (Jan. 30) afternoon showdown against nationally-ranked Michigan Tech University.

The Bulldogs are 5-12 overall and 4-8 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference after their tough 68-62 loss to the Timberwolves last Saturday in Midland. Tricia Principe continues to lead the team in scoring at 11.9 points per game while Tiara Adams is averaging 10.6. Becci Houdek is averaging 8.7 and Kelsey DeNoyelles 8.6 for Ferris. Adams is the top rebounder for the team, and second in the GLIAC, grabbing 8.4 a contest.

Northern is enjoying a fine season at 12-5 overall and 9-3 in the GLIAC's North Division (in third behind 11-1 MTU and 11-1 Grand Valley State University) under the direction of fifth-year head coach Troy Mattson. Winners of three straight games (including, most recently, a 69-67 overtime road win over Saginaw Valley State University), the Wildcats clearly are an improved team still is in contention for a lot of things as we're coming up on the stretch run of this season.

The top scorer for the Cats is Mariah Dunham, a senior forward, who is averaging 12.2 points.

This is the first meeting of the season between the teams.

The Bulldogs and Wildcats tip off at 6 p.m. on Thursday night.

Notes: Ferris State University head coach Tracey Dorow is just seven wins away from the 200th for her career ... Coach Dorow played one year of college basketball at Northern Michigan University during the 1993-94 season ... Tricia Principe is currently ranks second in the nation this week in free throw shooting percentage (.932) as of Jan. 24 ... ..... Tiara Adams ranks first among GLIAC leaders in offensive rebounds (3.2 pg.), third in total rebounding (8.4 per game) and ninth in field goal percentage (.489) ... Becci Houdek is tied for fifth in the GLIAC in steals (2.0 per game).

Photo by Ed Hyde (the photo is of Bulldog player Amy Joostberns)

HOCKEY: Michigan Coach Red Berenson Saw Too Many Penalties From Refs

Red Berenson, head coach of the University of Michigan hockey team, had the following words (to The Michigan Daily) about the amount of penalties called during Saturday's game between Michigan and Ferris State University in Big Rapids (a 3-2 win by the Bulldogs to split the series with the Wolverines).

BERENSON: Too many penalties — if there’s a game that’s well officiated one night, you can bet against it the next night. Or it’s going to be altogether different. I’m not blaming the officials, I just thought there were way too many penalties.

Indeed, it seems Berenson was not making excuses for his team, but rather criticizing the overall number of penalties (both ways).

Perhaps most surprising, to many fans, were the penalties called late in the game as both Ferris and Michigan added goals deep into the third period on the power play.

VOLLEYBALL: Ferris-Bound Player Excels In Prep Basketball

The Advance Newspapers, based in the Grand Rapids area, highlighted the achievements of a student-athlete headed to Ferris State University.

Here is an excerpt of the game follow-up story:

GRANDVILLE 50, BYRON CENTER 37: Grandville used an explosive third quarter to hand Byron Center its first loss of the season in a 50-37 decision Friday night.

The Bulldogs of veteran coach Charlie DeRyke outscored Byron Center 18-8 in the third period to take a 21-18 halftime lead to a 39-26 third period advantage.

"We played very well in the third quarter," DeRyke said. "Our defense created a lot of opportunities for us. We played pressure man-to-man defense and it created some offense for us. We hit some shots and got some good looks."

Senior forward Kara Hess paced the Bulldogs with 22 points and eight rebounds, including four offensive caroms. The Ferris State-bound volleyball player also had three assists.

For the full story, visit: http://highschoolsports.mlive.com/news/article/3322827283480909634/grandville-stops-byron-center-winning-streak-50-37/

FOOTBALL: Kalamazoo-Area Player Munson Plans To Sign With Ferris

In the Kalamazoo Gazette, it was announced that Portage Central running back Spencer Munson plans to sign with Ferris State University to continue his football career.

According to the article, it appears Munson may end up playing defensive back for the Bulldogs should he follow through on his verbal commitment.

Here is the note from the Gazette:

MUNSON TO FERRIS STATE: Portage Central senior Spencer Munson, a two-time Gazette all-area first-teamer at running back, plans to sign with Division II Ferris State University a week from Wednesday. The 6-foot, 197-pounder said he's getting what amounts to a half-ride scholarship at Ferris, where he will play safety after picking off six passes for the Mustangs last fall.

"I pretty much was always thinking I'd play running back, but when it came time to decide on a college, it didn't matter," said Munson, who rushed for 1,575 yards and 22 touchdowns.

Munson's father, Eric, played linebacker at Western Michigan University before transferring to Ferris. Spencer Munson said he also received attention from Grand Valley State, Butler and Ohio Northern.

Kalamazoo Gazette:
http://highschoolsports.mlive.com/news/article/-4673878525442438615/kalamazoo-home-school-girls-basketball-team-passing-road-tests/

TRACK AND FIELD: Mangieri, Muir Shine For Ferris

ALLENDALE - The Ferris State University women's indoor track and field team recorded eight top-eight individual performances and the Bulldog men had six individuals finish in the top 11 during Friday (Jan. 22) night's Bob Eubanks Open hosted by Grand Valley State University inside the Laker Turf Building at Allendale.

The non-scoring indoor competition included a large number of competitors from schools across the state and region such as FSU, GVSU, Saginaw Valley State, Tiffin, Davenport, Aquinas, St. Francis (Ind.), Bethel (Ind.), Olivet Nazarene (Ill.), Calvin, Spring Arbor, Windsor (Ontario), Indiana Tech, Alma and others.

The Bulldogs' strongest showing came in the women's mile run where they claimed the top three places and four of the top five overall. Junior Tina Muir took first place in the 35-runner field in a NCAA Division II National Provisional qualification time of 5:00.32 overall. Freshman Alyssa Osika claimed second (5:07.29) followed by freshman Shelby Janutol in third (5:12.31) and freshman Anna Rudd, who was fifth (5:19.78) in the event.

Muir also won the 3,000 meters (9:58) as FSU's lone double winner on the day while senior Emily Cross earned runner-up honors in the high jump (5-3.75)

FSU junior Jade Kaufman came in seventh overall in the 400 meters (1:02.12) and Cross finished eighth in the 60-meter hurdles (9.36).

Senior Mike Mangieri won the men's mile run (4:19.54) among and field of 55 runners and came in fourth overall in the 800 meters (1:55.50) while leading the Bulldog men's squad.

Sophomore Tyler Crossman took seventh place in the mile run (4:29.09), Ryan Chute finished eighth in the mile (4:29.31), senior Greg Burns placed eighth in the pole vault (14-9) and senior Justin Price was 11th overall in the 400 meters (51.38).

Ferris State returns to action in the Saginaw Valley State Collegiate Classic next Friday (Jan. 29) in University Center, Mich. The event is slated for a 4 p.m. (EST) start time inside SVSU's Ryder Center.

Source: Ferris State University Athletics Communications

HOCKEY: Ferris Is 12th In Inside College Hockey Power Rankings

BIG RAPIDS - Coming off last weekend's split against the University of Michigan, Ferris State University held steady at 12th in the current Inside College Hockey Power Rankings (Jan. 24).

The Bulldogs of head coach Bob Daniels, now 17-7-2, ranks 12th (one spot behind No. 11 Colorado College and one spot ahead of No. 13 New Hampshire). In its most recent action, this past weekend, Ferris fell in a 2-0 setback against the Wolverines in Ann Arbor on Friday, but rebounded to score a 3-2 victory on Saturday in Big Rapids.

Also, Central Collegiate Hockey Association power Miami moved back into the nation's top spot (from second) in the current Inside College Hockey Power Rankings.

Ferris State University is on the road this weekend as they travel to Columbus, Ohio to take on Ohio State University in a two-game series (Jan. 29-30). Both college hockey games, between the Bulldogs and Buckeyes, start at 7:05 p.m.

Inside College Hockey:
http://www.insidecollegehockey.com/5Polls/0910/polls_0818.htm

HOCKEY: Ferris Drops Two Spots To 10th In U.S. College Hockey Online Poll

BIG RAPIDS - After splitting a pair of games against the University of Michigan, Ferris State University dropped from eighth to 10th in the latest U.S. College Hockey Online Division I Men's Poll (Jan. 25).

Ferris, now 17-7-2 this season, is 10th with 601 points sandwiched between ninth-place Minnesota-Duluth (which dropped from fourth place) and 11th-place Colorado College (which fell from seventh to 11th). This past weekend, the Bulldogs dropped a 2-0 decision to the Wolverines in Ann Arbor on Friday, but bounced back to score a 3-2 win on Saturday in Big Rapids. As a side note, Michigan reentered the national rankings at 20th after splitting with Ferris State University.

Also, Central Collegiate Hockey Association power Miami moved back into the nation's top spot in the newest USCHO poll.

The Bulldogs are on the road this weekend as they travel to Columbus, Ohio to take on Ohio State University in a two-game series (Jan. 29-30). Both college hockey games, between the Bulldogs and Buckeyes, start at 7:05 p.m.

USCHO:
http://www.uscho.com/rankings/

FOOTBALL: Former Ferris Assistant Amp Campbell Resurfaces At Western Michigan University

Former defensive backs coach Amp Campbell's stay at Ferris State University was a relatively short one - a VERY short stop.

Campbell, however, is back on the college football landscape as he has joined the coaching staff of Western Michigan University.

Here is an excerpt from a piece written by Graham Couch, who covers WMU athletics:

Campbell’s foray into coaching hasn’t come with the prominence of his playing career, which began in 1994 with some calling him the next Deion Sanders.

This is Campbell’s first Division I coaching stop, after a two-year stint overseeing the secondary at Division II Lane College in Tennessee.

He previously coached at Urbana University in Ohio and at Ferris State, but he left Ferris and the profession altogether in 2004 after his mother suffered a stroke.

“It pretty much got me out of it. It crushed me,” said Campbell, who moved back to his hometown of Sarasota, Fla., with his wife, Denise. “The trials and tribulations she’s gone through as a person and as a mother, I felt it was the right thing to do. When I went through my injury, my mom and dad moved up to Michigan to help me.”

Best of luck to Amp Campbell in his new endeavor. Check out this story on Campbell. His path to Western Michigan University is a pretty amazing journey.

Kalamazoo Gazette:
http://www.mlive.com/broncos/index.ssf/2010/01/next_chapter_in_amp_campbells.html

HOCKEY: No. 8 Ferris 3, Michigan 2

BIG RAPIDS - Playing in front of a national television audience, and inside a jam-packed Ewigleben Ice Arena was a challenge No. 8 Ferris State University was up to on Saturday night as it hosted the University of Michigan.

With a capacity crowd in attendance, and the game being broadcast live on CBS College Sports, the Bulldogs and Wolverines battled down to the end before nationally-ranked Ferris used a late goal from standout defenseman Zach Redmond to earn a 3-2 Central Collegiate Hockey Association victory. For Redmond, it was the ultimate redemption after he was called for a controversial interference penalty a little earlier that helped the Wolverines tie the game (2-2) at 1:49 in the third period.

People do not always get a second shot but, in this case, Redmond got his second chance and buried the game winner in the Michigan goal, as he snapped a shot past Wolverines' netminder Bryan Hogan, to lift the Bulldogs to an emotional Saturday-evening win.

"The puck got moved down the the corner and I just kind of found a quiet area and luckily the player backed off. I think he thought it was going to the point," said Redmond, a native of Traverse City who has developed into one of the premier defensemen in the CCHA. "(Blair) Riley hit me with a nice pass and with some luck it found its way."

It felt sweet for Redmond, who agonizingly watched from the box after a tough penalty call turned the star FSU blueliner temporarily into a spectator as U-M tied the score on a Brian Lebler power-play goal with less than two minutes to play.

"There really is not a worse feeling," Redmond said about being in the penalty box as Michigan evened the score at 2-2. "I just kind of buried my head in there and didn't want to watch and I was just hoping I could get out of there with no harm done, but that is just how it goes some times. I'm just glad it worked out in the end."

It worked out as Michigan was called for a late penalty of its own at the 1:11 mark (some might argue it was a make-up call). Make-up call or not, it was costly for the Wolverines. Riley, working from behind the U-M net, hit Redmond with a pass and the rest was history as Zach zipped (the game-winning goal) past Hogan to bring the capacity crowd to its feet with 23.4 seconds to play.

Ferris held tough, during the final 23.4, and denied the Wolverines before claiming victory.

Perhaps no one breathed more of a sigh of relief than Zach Redmond.

"There is not a better way to make up for it than doing that I suppose," he said. "A penalty is a penalty and I found a way to make up for it, luckily."

Ferris head coach Bob Daniels was as pleased as anyone to see his guys respond to the adversity and show the character he knew was there all along. Injuries to a pair of standouts, forward and team captain Cody Chupp and defenseman Scott Wietecha, has challenged the program in ways it had not experienced earlier in the season.

"Tonight, given the fact the fact that we have that many guys out and we were leaking some oil I would put this as the top win of the season," Daniels said. "It was a moment where we had to stop some bleeding."

Scoring Summary:

First period

Casey Haines earned a short-handed goal, at 6:20 of the first period to put Ferris up 1-0.

Second period

On the power play, Michigan answered as David Wohlberg scored off assists from A.J. Treais and Chris Summers to knot the score at 1-1 at 8:01.

Ferris regained the lead, at 2-1, as Matt Case scored an even-strength goal that was assisted by Aaron Lewicki at 18:22.

Third period

Brian Lebler, on the power play, tied the score at 2-2 off assists from David Wohlberg and Ben Winnett at 18:11.

Zach Redmond, on the power play, scored the game-winning goal as he was assisted by Blair Riley and Casey Haines at 19:36.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Ferris State University's Leah Kebler Highlighted by Midland Daily News

Check out this story from John Kennett published in the Midland Daily News about Ferris State University women's basketball team freshman forward Leah Kebler.

The story previewed Kebler's return to her hometown, Midland, as a member of the Bulldogs to take on Northwood University.

Here is an excerpt from the Midland Daily News story:

From her very first visit, Leah Kebler and Ferris State University have been a great match.

And now that Kebler is a part of the Bulldogs women's basketball team, she is confident that she made the right choice.

Local fans will get a chance to see Kebler on Saturday when the Bulldogs visit Northwood University. Game time is 4 p.m. at the Bennett Sports Center.

The Bulldogs are 5-11 overall and 4-7 in the GLIAC heading into Saturday's league contest.

"I'm kind of nervous coming back home and especially playing on the away team," said Kebler, a freshman, who graduated from Dow High. "There will be people coming who have watched me in high school. I'm back at the freshman level, where I'm not quite as strong or quick as others. It's a little nerve-wracking."

Kebler has all the makings of a player who will end up being a good one for the Bulldogs. As a first-year player, she is going to have her ups and downs. But, expect her to become a key player at forward and/or center for the Bulldogs for years to come.

MEN'S BASKETBALL: Ferris-Northwood Coverage From Midland Daily News

MIDLAND - Here is an article written about the Ferris State University-Northwood University men's basketball game written by Midland Daily News writer Fred Kelly.

It was a good win for the Bulldog men to be able to go over to Midland and come up with a win at Northwood.

Being a Midland-based writer, Fred offers the Northwood perspective in his article:
http://ourmidland.com/articles/2010/01/24/sports/2376918.txt

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Midland Daily News Article On Ferris-Northwood Game

MIDLAND - Here is an article written about the Ferris State University-Northwood University women's basketball game written by Midland Daily News writer Fred Kelly.

Being a Midland-based writer, Fred offers the Northwood perspective in his article:
http://ourmidland.com/articles/2010/01/24/sports/2376986.txt

MEN'S BASKETBALL: Ferris 86, Northwood 73

MIDLAND - Ferris State University is proving to be a team of road warriors with the latest evidence taking place Saturday afternoon against Northwood University.

The Bulldogs built up a double-digit lead and held on down the stretch to claim an 86-73 win over the host Timberwolves in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference competition in the Bennett Sports Center in Midland.

With the win, the Bulldogs improve to 10-7 overall and 8-4 in GLIAC competition as they head back home for a much-needed four-game homestand after doing good work on the road. Northwood falls to 7-9 overall and 4-8 in the GLIAC.

It was a great way for Ferris to go on the road, in a place where wins are not always easy to come by for visiting teams, and steal won before returning to Big Rapids.

Ferris had a big game inside from Justin Keenan with 17 points. Keenan, a junior from Grand Rapids, also added six rebounds against the Timberwolves. The Bulldogs, however, refused to rely just on Keenan to take them to victory in this game. The 6-foot-6 center had all kinds of help from his teammates on Saturday.

Ferris also had a strong performance from guard Darien Gay. Gay, a sharpshooter who hit the game-winning shot in his hometown of Detroit to lead the Bulldogs to a win over Wayne State, led all scorers in the game with 19 points as he hit 3-of-5 from outside the 3-point line in Saturday's victory over Northwood.

Also scoring in double digits, Matt DeHart and Jon Yeazel each had 14 points.

Lionel Sullivan and Dorian Pierce had 14 points apiece to lead the Timberwolves.

Ferris connected on 47.7 percent of its shots from the field while it held Northwood to just 39.7 percent. It was a relatively clean game as the Bulldogs had only 10 turnovers while the Timberwolves were even better with seven giveaways.

Ferris won the rebounding battle by a count of 45-33.

The Bulldogs finally return to Jim Wink Arena where they will kick off a four-game homestand with an 8 p.m. contest against Northern Michigan University.

MEN'S BASKETBALL: Northwood 68, Ferris 62

MIDLAND - Saturday was the stage for a painful, VERY PAINFUL way to lose a basketball game for Ferris State University.

After a solid first-half effort Saturday, Ferris' shooting percentage plummeted to 22.6 percent in the second half. Sparked by defense and renewed purpose at the offensive end, Northwood University pulled away for a hard-fought 68-62 come-from-behind Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference victory in the Bennett Sports Center in Midland.

With the loss, the Bulldogs drop to 5-12 overall and 4-8 in GLIAC competition as they head back to Big Rapids for a much-appreciated four-game homestand after doing good work on the road. Northwood improves to 8-8 overall and 4-8 in the GLIAC.

After controlling the flow of play in the first half, and through much of the second half, the Timberwolves really turned it on near the end. Ferris lead by as many as 15 points (at 15:18 of the second half), but could not hang onto that lead down the stretch as Northwood turned up the intensity and secured a lead.

Early in Saturday's game, it appeared Northwood's quickness and aggressiveness was going to pay off with its ability to get to the basket (in this battle of teams that have been plagued by injuries this season). Ferris, however, adjusted and better contained Northwood star Pam Wilson (one of the top players in the GLIAC), who scored 32 points Thursday night, in Midland, against Grand Valley State University.

The Bulldogs, thanks to high-level play from guards Kelsey DeNoyelles, Tricia Principe and Becci Houdek, led by as many as 15 points.

Momentum, however, shifted suddenly.

Northwood's level of aggressive play picked up significantly as Wilson and Jodi Ostergren started to play like the stars they are down the stretch. Wilson, who ended up with 28 points and 11 rebounds, led that charge. She had plenty of expected help from Ostergren, who totaled 18 points and yanked down 11 rebounds of her own.

Northwood went from trailing by as many as 15 points, at 15:18 of the second half, to leading by 11, at 2:43. It was an incredible turnaround.

The Timberwolves ended up shooting 38.9 percent for the game while the Bulldogs mustered just 33.3 percent shooting from the floor. Ferris turned the ball over 17 times vs. 16 for the Timberwolves.

Ferris was led by Houdek with 16 points, DeNoyelles with 15 and Principe with 14. Amy Joostberns came off the bench to add eight points and pull down four rebounds.

Ferris returns home on Thursday (Jan. 28) to face Northern Michigan University at 6 p.m. in Big Rapids inside of Jim Wink Arena.

Check back for more coverage here later.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: We're At Northwood

MIDLAND - I'm in Midland today for the women's and men's basketball doubleheaders between Ferris State University and Northwood University.

The women's game starts at 4 p.m. while the men's contest begins at 6 p.m. from the Bennett Sports Center on the Northwood campus.

Looking forward to seeing how the Ferris women bounce back from a tough loss on Thursday night in Detroit against Wayne State University. The Bulldogs have been plagued by injuries throughout the season with issues that have impacted Andrea Clancy, projected as the team's starting center, and Stephanie DeNoyelles, an experienced hand at the guard position for the Bulldogs. DeNoyelles could still play this season if she gets the necessary clearance. She, and Clancy, however, should be back in the lineup next season for the Bulldogs ready to compete for head coach Tracey Dorow and Ferris.

This afternoon, the Bulldogs take on the Timberwolves, a squad which has its own injury issues in what has been an up-and-down season for head coach Jeff Curtis and his squad.

On the men's side, the Bulldogs have a history of feast or famine in Midland against Northwood. In some cases, when Ferris has won, it has been particularly impressive. In other cases, when the Bulldogs have been unsuccessful, the Timberwolves have been able to scratch out some close wins. In any and all cases, it is tough to win on the road. Darien Gay, a standout guard for the Bulldogs, hit a big shot as Ferris scored a rare road win in Detroit against Wayne State.

Now, we see if Ferris can follow up that win and head coach Bill Sall can have his squad wrap up a successful string of road games with another "W" in the good column.

HOCKEY: No. 8 Ferris Falls To Michigan

ANN ARBOR - Michigan received a second-period two-goal effort from Luke Glendening while Bryan Hogan stopped all 22 shots on goal to help lead the Wolverines to a 2-0 decision over the eighth-ranked Ferris State University men's ice hockey team this Friday (Jan. 22) night in Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) action at UM's Yost Ice Arena in Ann Arbor, Mich.

The loss drops Ferris State to 16-7-2 overall and 10-5-2-2 in the CCHA to date this season as the Bulldogs are midst a three-game losing skid after winning nine of their previous 10 contests. Michigan extends its unbeaten streak to six games (5-0-1) as the Wolverines improve to 14-10-1 overall and 9-7-1-1 in league play.

In the opening period, neither team was able to get on the board although Ferris State had a prime opportunity to score as the Bulldogs received a five-on-three power-play advantage just under the eight-minute mark on two Wolverine penalties at the same whistle. UM would conclude the first 20 minutes with a 15-8 shots on goal advantage as the Bulldogs spent lengthy stretches in their own zone.

Michigan would snap the scoreless tie in the second back as the Wolverines netted two consecutive goals, both by Luke Glendening. His first tally came on a shot from inside the slot near the right circle into the far corner above the left shoulder of junior goaltender Pat Nagle (Bloomfield) at the 3:43 mark. Glendening would connect again at 8:19 in almost the same proximity as the first to give Michigan a 2-0 lead after two periods. The Bulldogs had another solid scoring chance just over a minute later but junior left wing Mike Embach's (Orland Park, Ill.) shot from the near slot hit the left post. The Wolverines would prevail in shots on goal by a 12-7 margin for the second frame.

All of the scoring would come in the second as neither team was able to tally a goal in the final 20 minutes of the contest. Michigan would end the stanza with a nine-to-seven advantage for shots.

The Wolverines concluded the series opener by recording a 36-to-22 lead in shots as Bulldog netminder Pat Nagle (7-5-1) turned away 34 shots, which included 15 in the first period.

Ferris State will seek to turn the tables on Michigan this Saturday (Jan. 23) evening as the team faceoff again in the finale of the CCHA weekend home-and-home series. Opening faceoff is at 8:06 p.m. (EST) for the CBS College Sports televised contest at FSU's Ewigleben Ice Arena in Big Rapids, Mich.

Notes: FSU has been held scoreless in its last two Friday games, which started with a 4-0 home loss to nationally-ranked Miami (Ohio) a week ago (Jan. 15) . . . Ferris State has allowed a season-high 25 goals in the second period compared to a combined 27 in the first and third frames . . . The Bulldogs are now winless in their last seven appearances at Yost Ice Arena with the last FSU triumph occurring on Feb. 25, 2006, in a 4-3 overtime win . . . Ferris is 2-14-0 all-time in the series for January matchups at Yost Ice Arena . . . The Bulldogs are 4-4-2 on the road this season compared to 11-2-0 at home.

Source: Ferris State University Athletics Communications

Ferris State Hockey To Make CBS College Sports TV Appearances

The nationally-ranked Ferris State University men's ice hockey team will be featured on national television this weekend (Jan. 22-23) as both games of the Bulldogs' home-and-home Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) series against the Michigan Wolverines will be aired by CBS College Sports.

This Friday's (Jan. 22) series opener will take place at UM's Yost Ice Arena in Ann Arbor, with the puck scheduled to drop at 8:05 p.m. The two in-state teams will then square off again this Saturday (Jan. 23) at FSU's Ewigleben Ice Arena in Big Rapids. Opening faceoff for the weekend series finale is slated for 8:06 p.m. For Bulldog hockey home game ticket information, please call (231) 591-2888.

Matt Shepard will be calling the action with Dave Starman serving as the color analyst.

CBS College Sports, a multimedia network and the first dedicated exclusively to college sports 24 hours a day, is available on selected cable systems across the country along with DirecTV (channel 613) and Dish Network (channel 152).

Ferris State presently has registered a 16-6-2 overall record with a third-place 10-4-2-2 CCHA mark (34 league points). The Bulldogs, under 18th-year head coach Bob Daniels, are ranked eighth in the nation this week (Jan. 18) by U.S. College Hockey Online.com while FSU is ninth in the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine poll and 12th in Inside College Hockey.com's poll.

Michigan is 13-10-1 overall and currently tied for sixth place in the CCHA standings with an 8-7-1-0 league mark. UM head coach Red Berenson's team is unbeaten in their last five contests at 4-0-1.

Ferris State appeared on CBS College Sports last season in its 2008-09 regular-season finale contest at Michigan (Feb. 28). CBS College Sports will be making its second appearance at FSU this Saturday (Jan. 23) after previously televising the 2007-08 Bulldog hockey team's home encounter versus Northern Michigan on Jan. 19, 2008.

Source: Ferris State University Athletics Communications

HOCKEY: Check Out NHL.com Article On Ferris Hockey

So far, it has been a storybook year of hockey for nationally-ranked Ferris State University as it enters this weekend's home-and-home hockey series against the University of Michigan.

It's a big series for Ferris coming off back-to-back losses to second-ranked Miami University last weekend in Big Rapids.

NHL.com writer James Murphy has a story up on that Web site talking about Ferris persevering over past struggles to have what so far is a banner season on the ice.

The Bulldogs, ranked eighth, and Wolverines battle tonight in Yost Ice Arena in Ann Arbor, with the puck set to drop at 8:05 p.m., and the teams return to Big Rapids to battle inside Ewigleben Ice Arena, with start time scheduled for 8:05 p.m.

Both games with Michigan are being televised on CBS College Sports.

NHL.com:
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=514424&cmpid=rss-murphy

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Ferris Set To Face Wayne

BIG RAPIDS - Ferris State University knows full well it can't take anything for granted as it rolls into Detroit to take on Wayne State University in women's basketball action.

Both Ferris and Wayne enter this game with relatively young teams looking to take big steps forward this season. Ferris, while young, also has been snake bitten by injuries while Wayne is going through the growing pains of sending a young (but highly-acclaimed recruiting class) to battle in a tough Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. This is one of those proverbial games where you throw the records out the window. It's reasonable to expect a tough battle from start to finish between the Bulldogs, coached by Tracey Dorow (pictured), and the Warriors, coached by Gloria Bradley.

Wayne is 3-12 overall and 1-9 in the GLIAC in the South Division standings while Ferris is 5-10 overall and 4-6 in the North Division.

Brooke Bowers is Wayne's top scorer averaging 11.7 points (19th best in the GLIAC so far this season). Meanwhile, Ferris' Tricia Principe is averaging 11.7 points (18th best in the league) and Tiara Adams is averaging 11 a contest for the Bulldogs.

Adams ranks second in the GLIAC in rebounding at 8.5 per contest.

The Bulldogs and Warriors tip off tonight at 5:30 p.m. from the Matthaei Building in Detroit.

Here is the media coverage:

Women's Basketball at Wayne State, 5:30 p.m.
Live On Bulldog Radio - Charter TV Channel 21 (Mecosta County)
Live Twitter Scoring Updates
Live B2 Networks Video Webcast
Live Bulldog Radio Audio Webcast
Live Internet Statistics

MEN'S BASKETBALL: Ferris Gears Up For Wayne State

BIG RAPIDS - Ferris State University knows it has quite the challenge on its hands traveling down to Detroit to face Wayne State University.

Traditionally, games between the Bulldogs and Warriors are physical battles that test toughness in teams on the hardwood. Recent history teaches us that Wayne will bring a tall and physical team to the court and Ferris will have to find a way to neutralize that size edge on the paint to rebound and get into its running game.

Wayne, under the direction of head coach David Greer, is 8-6 overall and 6-4 in the GLIAC in the South Division standings while Ferris, coached by Bill Sall (pictured), is 8-7 overall and 6-4 in the North Division standings of the league.

Bryan Wright is Wayne's top scorer averaging 15.1 points (ninth-best in the GLIAC so far this season). Meanwhile, Ferris' Justin Keenan ranks fourth in the conference in scoring at 18.5 points per contest.

The Warriors have several Division I transfers from schools like Ohio University, the University of Detroit-Mercy and Long Island University.

One of the big things Ferris must contend with, however, is the size of Wayne which includes 6-7 newcomer Ike Udanoh.

Bryan Smothers, a 5-9 guard, is a double-digit scorer for the Warriors and a guy Ferris will have to contain.

The game begins this evening in Detroit at 7:30 p.m. in the Matthaei Building.

Here is the media information:

Men's Basketball at Wayne State, 7:30 p.m.
Live Radio On WBRN 1460 AM & 107.7 FM
Live Twitter Scoring Updates
Live B2 Networks Video Webcast
Live FSU Audio Webcast
Live Internet Statistics