BLOG 15: Bulldogs secure much-needed win over Comets

By Sandy Gholston

Ferris State University’s Darien Gay (right) gets defensive against Olivet’s Andre Evans (left) during Tuesday’s non-conference game in Jim Wink Arena on Tuesday night (Photo/Sandy Gholston)

BIG RAPIDS – Starting 0-2 this season, Ferris State University needed – and desperately so – a successful performance against Olivet. A solid performance was precisely what the Bulldogs got as they earned their first win of the season.

The Bulldogs needed a win as the upcoming three games will be serious tests for head coach Bill Sall’s squad. Ferris opens Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference competition next. Right off the bat, the Bulldogs are in Allendale to face arch-rival Grand Valley State on Dec. 1 at 8 p.m. From there, the Bulldogs begin a two-game road journey to Ohio that includes stops at Ashland, Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m., and GLIAC newcomer Tiffin, Dec. 6, at 3 p.m.

“We were up about 25 points and then all of it just went downhill in a hurry,” Ferris head coach Bill Sall said as his team improved to 1-2 on the season. “The one thing these guys have to learn is that whether you’re playing Division two, Division three or Division eight … you have to play hard for an entire game and you have to finish the game. That is a lesson we learned.”

Facing those three tough opponents – on the road – is about as challenging a stretch as a team can have to begin the conference portion of the schedule. But, with a grueling 22-game league grind, there are fewer opportunities for non-league games. It’s because of that league schedule that Ferris’ home game against Olivet took on even greater significance. To fall to 0-3 (already with losses at Division II national power Northern Kentucky, Nov. 15, and home against regional rival St. Joseph’s, Nov. 20) would have been painful.

Tuesday, the Bulldogs’ energy level was a lot higher against the Comets, in an 87-76 victory in Jim Wink Arena, than it was in the team’s contest before this one, against the Pumas. A big reason for that win was a career-best 33 points from sophomore forward Justin Keenan. Defensively, Ferris was active in the passing lanes moving their feet well and deflecting basketballs. The Bulldogs double-teamed on the wing to force the tempo a little more and create even more transition scoring opportunities. And, Ferris rebounded better against the Comets than it did against St. Joseph’s.

In the end, the Bulldogs (1-2) played far closer to the caliber of basketball they are going to have to play against tough teams they will face in the GLIAC.

Against the Comets, Ferris also enjoyed 15 points and seven rebounds from Josh Young and 13 points with four rebounds from Lou Williams.

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