BLOG 17: Bulldog women hope to get back to winning ways

By Sandy Gholston

Ferris State University’s Kelsey DeNoyelles (left) and Tricia Principe (right) battle for possession of the basketball (Photo/Sandy Gholston)

BIG RAPIDS – The challenge is no easier for the Ferris State University women’s basketball team as it hopes to reverse course from a recent difficult stretch of games.

After losing to Ashland (92-89) and Tiffin (85-68) last weekend in Ohio, the Bulldogs return to Michigan and this weekend hosts Hillsdale, Saturday at 1 p.m., and Findlay, Sunday at 2 p.m. We can expect a pair of hard-fought contests for the Bulldogs as the Chargers were picked to finish as the elite team in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference South Division while Findlay is a dangerous up-and-coming team thanks to last year’s experience.

These are big games for the Bulldogs who do not want to fall too far behind in the race for the league’s regular-season championship and league tournament seeding. Also, this weekend is a key for Ferris (2-4, 1-2) to protect its house. So far this season, the Bulldogs have not had a chance to play at home as its first six games were on the road.

The Chargers are off to a great start at 7-0 overall and 2-0 in the GLIAC South Division standings to share first place with Findlay. Hillsdale is ranked No. 10 in the nation in the USA Today ESPN Division II Top 25 women’s basketball poll. The Chargers have one of the nation’s premier players in senior forward Katie Cezat, who leads the conference in scoring at 24.7 points per contest. She also is the league’s leading rebounder at 15 per game. Cezat will test Ferris post players Jenna Guay, Ashley Fleming and others who might have to check her.

The Oilers (who are at Grand Valley State on Saturday) are off to a great start as well at 5-0 overall and 2-0 in the GLIAC South Division to share the top spot with Hillsdale. Findlay also boasts one of the top players in the league in junior Audra Mihalic, who is the third-leading scorer in the conference at 17.8 points per contest and is second in assists, at six per game. From a scoring standpoint, Mihalic ranks one spot above Ferris senior guard Teghan Thelen, who is averaging 17.7 points. Thelen also ranks second in free throw shooting at 93.3 percent.

Ferris must bring its proverbial “A” game in both of these contests to protect home court and get back on track with a pair of wins. The Bulldogs have lost four of their last five games, but a great effort this weekend will give the players and coaches plenty to smile about.

Check out free admissions promotions planned for Ferris State University basketball games:
http://www.ferris.edu/sports/bbmen/0809news/bbfreeadmission.htm

Student events planned for basketball games:
http://www.ferris.edu/sports/bbmen/0809news/bbstudentevents.htm

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