BLOG 25: Bulldog men’s basketball solid at mid-season point

By Sandy Gholston

Ferris State’s Donate Molden handles the basketball during an early-season exhibition game against Calvin (Photo/Sandy Gholston)

BIG RAPIDS – The Ferris State University men’s basketball team is at approximately the midway point of its 2008-09 schedule. So far it has been a roller-coaster ride.

The Bulldogs have had their good moments (road wins at Ashland and Tiffin) and a few disappointments, hard-fought losses at home to St. Joseph’s and Hillsdale. Now, the team must find a high and consistent level of energy in its play as the Bulldogs prepare to enter the second half of their season. Upcoming, the Bulldogs have home non-conference games against Grace Bible and (Jan. 3), at 3 p.m., against Kuyper (Jan. 5), at 7:30 p.m.

Following those two games, the Bulldogs return to Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference action when they travel to Lake Superior State (Jan. 8) and Saginaw Valley State (Jan. 10).

Currently, Ferris’ record is 3-5 overall and 2-3 in the GLIAC as it prepares to finish its winter break with non-league action in Wink Arena. Of course, the team would prefer a better mark, but the Bulldogs are in solid position to pick up wins during the next week with solid efforts to build momentum for the return to conference competition.

The Bulldogs must work on maintaining a high level of play from start to finish in games during the second half of the season. Against Hillsdale, Ferris was so-so during much of the game, from an intensity standpoint, but turned it on late in the second half and nearly stole a victory from the visiting Chargers. If that effort is consistent, Ferris can realize its potential.

Consistently, sophomore center Justin Keenan has been the big man in the middle averaging 20.4 points and 6.9 rebounds for the Bulldogs. From there, junior wing player Josh Young has been instant offense for the Bulldogs with 15.9 points contributed per game while second-year point guard Darien Gay is next on the ledger at 11.1 points per game.

If you have any questions, ideas or comments feel free to contact Sandy Gholston at sgholston2@netzero.com