BLOG 10: Bulldog women are back in action on the hardwood

By Sandy Gholston

Ferris State’s Tricia Principe (right) goes up for a shot as Lindsey Pettit (left) attempts a block from behind during a scrimmage (Photo/Sandy Gholston)

BIG RAPIDS – An early-week road trip to Romeoville, Ill. is on tap this week for the Ferris State University women’s basketball team.

The Bulldogs are 1-1 against a pair of regional opponents after splitting a pair of games in the Kentucky Wesleyan Lady Panther Classic. In a pair of closely-contested battles, Ferris defeated Kentucky Wesleyan, but fell to Indianapolis. Even with a split, Ferris returned home with much to feel good about after the event. A big part of the Bulldogs’ success was the play of senior guard Teghan Thelen, who was named the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference North Division Player of the Week after she scored 36 points against the Panthers and then 26 against the Greyhounds.

Tuesday, the Bulldogs are on the road to face another regional opponent from the Great Lakes Valley Conference: Lewis University.

With the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference’s expanded 22-game league schedule, scheduling non-conference opponents has become even more of a challenge. That makes the regional non-conference opponents teams do get to play even more important games. Ferris already is 1-1 against the GLVC and this game would be another big win for the Bulldogs as they work to beef up their regional credentials.

The Flyers already have quite a bit of exposure to GLIAC teams having already faced Michigan Tech (Nov. 15) and Lake Superior State (Nov. 16) in Sault Ste. Marie. Lewis lost both of those games as it suffered a 74-54 defeat against the Huskies and then a 69-30 setback against the Lakers. Since then, however, Lewis has victories over Robert Morris and St. Francis (Ill.) as it prepares to host the Bulldogs on Tuesday (Nov. 25).

Ferris may have a trump card to play. Thelen has been on fire though the first two games, but the Bulldogs need help. For Ferris to experience success, it will have to diversify its offense by bringing even more consistent scorers into the fold. That will help to make things even easier for Thelen to get off her jump shot and give her even more room to drive to the basket.

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