DENNIS SPRINGS NAMED GLIAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Sophomore Guard Claims League's Weekly Award

FSU's Dennis Springs Earned This Week's GLIAC North Division Player of the Week Award

Springs led Ferris to its first league championship in nine seasons by scoring 21 points, dishing out six assists and grabbing four rebounds in Saturday's (Feb. 28) 70-61 home win over three-time defending champion Michigan Tech at FSU's Jim Wink Arena in Big Rapids, Mich. He was four-of-four from three-point range and had no turnovers in 32 minutes of action versus the Huskies.

The 5-6 Springs also totaled nine assists, eight points and four rebounds in Thursday's (Feb. 26) 69-51 league home win over Northern Michigan. Springs averaged 14.5 points, 7.5 assists and four rebounds in the two outings.

Ferris State claimed the 2003-04 GLIAC North Division Championship Saturday (Feb. 28) before a record-crowd of 1,025 at Wink Arena. The Bulldogs, who surpassed the .500 mark for the first time all season at 14-13, concluded regular-season play with a 14-4 league mark en route to winning the school's 10th conference title. Ferris also secured the home-court advantage throughout the league tournament with the victory.

Ferris, which has currently won more GLIAC championships (10) than any other league member, last won a league title in 1994-95 prior to this season. FSU had not won a GLIAC crown since the league was split into two divisions in 1996-97.

FSU will open GLIAC Tournament action with a quarterfinal round home game this Tuesday (March 2) versus Northwood. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. (EST) following the Bulldog women's basketball team's quarterfinal round game against Michigan Tech, which begins at 6 p.m. (EST).

The semifinals and finals will be held Friday and Saturday, March 5-6, at the site of the highest remaining seed. FSU earned the home court advantage with Saturday's win and would host the semifinals/finals with a victory on Tuesday.