BLOG 13: Ferris wins a character builder at GVSU

By Sandy Gholston

Ferris State University’s Becci Houdek makes a pass against Grand Valley State’s Jasmine Padin (Photo/Sandy Gholston)

ALLENDALE – It was just the first of 22 conference games, but Monday night’s Ferris State University women’s basketball game was a big one.

Obviously, a big rivalry game on the road at Grand Valley State University poses a major challenge. But, the mission was accepted by the Bulldogs who fought hard and passed the big challenge in the Fieldhouse Arena in Allendale. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the victory was the scoring balance Ferris used to escape with the win. Twelve players scored as the Bulldogs earned a 74-64 victory to begin Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play with a 1-0 record as they improved to 2-2 overall.

“It’s absolutely amazing the way we were able to come out and play. … We were really clicking out there, we shot the basketball well and I think everyone came in and played well and that definitely was good to see,” said sophomore point guard Becci Houdek, who totaled 14 points, six assists and three rebounds as FSU escaped with a huge road victory to begin league competition. “That was what we needed.”

The scoring balance was a major plus for the Bulldogs. As part of that balance, Ferris was sharp and consistent during key stretches. The Bulldogs connected on 52.6 percent of their shots from the floor for the game and a big part of that was unselfishness. The Bulldogs shared the ball from start to finish.

“We really shared the ball and that helped us to get even better shots at the basket,” added Houdek, a native of Canton.

Defensively, the Bulldogs did a strong job denying the ball to the low post during stretches of the showdown. Ferris also contested many of the attempts the Lakers did get at the rim. Head coach Tracey Dorow was for the most part pleased with her team’s defensive effort against what is a potentially explosive GVSU offense.

“I felt we did a good job, defensively, except for No. 10 (freshman guard Emma Veach),” Dorow said. “Veach really had a big game and hurt us (a game-high 25 points, including 19 in the second half). Outside of that, I felt we did a good job at the defensive end and that was big for us.”

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