Ferris State Registers Seven GLIAC All-Academic Honorees

Bulldogs Place Tied For Second Among League Teams In Total Selections

Senior forward Patti Larson attained GLIAC All-Academic Team laurels for the second time in her career

Seven members of the 2002-03 Ferris State University women's basketball team have been named to the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) All-Academic Women’s Basketball Team, according to an announcement released by the league office.

The selected student-athletes included junior forward Stephanie Benear (Howell), junior guard Lucy DeMartin (Mason), sophomore forward Sarah Duesing (Sault Ste. Marie/Sault Area), junior center Bridget Horwitz (Auburn, Ind./DeKalb), senior forward Patti Larson (Kalkaska), sophomore forward Molly Potvin (Lansing/Catholic Central) and sophomore guard Kari Searles (Marshall). Benear, DeMartin and Horwitz were honored for the second consecutive season while Larson was previously chosen during the 2000-01 campaign. Overall, 52 league players were named to the all-academic team.

To be eligible to receive league all-academic laurels, student-athletes must have attained a cumulative grade point average (gpa) of at least 3.0 or greater (on a 4.0 scale), be a starter or key reserve and must not be a freshman or first-year college transfer. Lake Superior State, the 2002-03 conference champion, totaled a league-high nine honorees. Ferris along with Hillsdale both had seven selections while Findlay, Gannon and Michigan Tech all had five players chosen. Ashland and Grand Valley State had three individuals named to the team while Mercyhurst and Saginaw Valley State were represented with two picks.

DeMartin's team-leading scoring average (20.2 ppg) this campaign ranked first among the school’s all-time leaders and placed second in the GLIAC’s overall statistical rankings. She compiled a school-record 525 points this season while attaining 2002-03 Verizon Academic All-District IV College Division Women's Basketball First-Team accolades. The 5-9 DeMartin was also a first-team All-GLIAC North Division and Daktronics Division II All-Great Lakes Region honoree. A 2001-02 Verizon Academic All-District IV Second-Team pick, DeMartin was named the GLIAC's North Division Player of the Week three times (Dec. 2 and 16, Feb. 24) this campaign. She posted 26 double-figure scoring outings and had 13 20-plus point performances this season. DeMartin, an elementary education major, compiled a 3.96 gpa.

Horwitz, a two-time (Dec. 9 and Feb. 17) GLIAC North Division Player of the Week, totaled 420 points (16.8 ppg) and a team-leading 210 rebounds (8.4 rpg) in 25 appearances this season. The 6-2 Horwitz scored 10 points or more in 22 games while notching nine double-double (scoring & rebounding) performances. She was also named to the All-GLIAC North Division and Daktronics Division II All-Great Lakes Region Second-Teams this campaign in addition to recording a 3.45 gpa in psychology at Ferris State.

A team co-captain, Larson returned from a medical redshirt season to play in 25 games this campaign. She concluded her FSU career with 124 points, 134 rebounds, 66 assists and 50 steals in 103 career contests. The 5-9 Larson, who was named FSU’s 2000-01 Defensive Most Valuable Player, scored 18 points and had 26 rebounds in her final campaign. Larson posted a 3.78 gpa in Ferris’ elementary education program.

The 5-9 Benear scored 119 points and grabbed 79 rebounds in 26 appearances this season. Benear, who started 25 contests, was the team’s leader in field goal percentage (.529; 54-102) and placed third in assists (51). Duesing, who received both Ferris’ 2001-02 Rookie of the Year and Most Improved Player Awards, saw action in 26 games this campaign and made 15 starts. She compiled personal career-highs in both points (82) and rebounds (65). Benear attained a 3.66 gpa in elementary education and the 5-10 Duesing recorded a 3.61 gpa in the same field.

Potvin, a team co-captain, attained personal career-bests in points (153), rebounds (123) and assists (32) this season. The 5-10 Potvin notched four double-figure scoring performances in 26 contests. She also ranked second in rebounding (4.6 rpg), fourth in steals (29) and fourth in field goal percentage (.451: 60-133) among Ferris’ 2002-03 leaders. Searles appeared in 18 games, scoring a personal career-high 28 points and sinking four three-point baskets. She recorded a 3.77 gpa in elementary education while Potvin had a 3.63 gpa in advertising at Ferris State.

FSU, which finished the year 15-11 overall and 10-8 in league action, reached the GLIAC Tournament for the fourth consecutive season and posted its seventh straight 10-win campaign during the 2002-03 season under fifth-year head coach Tracey Fisk.