Like their previous meeting in Grand Rapids this earlier this season, it came down to overtime between the Bulldogs and Lakers. But this time the Lakers came out on top 82-80 on a last-second bank shot as the clock hit 0:00.
The 21st-ranked Ferris men’s basketball team battled back from a slow start in the first half to knot the score at 34-34 at halftime. The second half proved no different as both teams posted 34 points in the second 20 minutes to deadlock at 68-68 at the end of regulation.
Three free throws from Ferris senior guard Darien Gay in the final seconds of regulation forced the overtime period. With the score tied 80-80 in overtime it looked like the contest would move on to a second overtime when Laker guard Breland Hogan put in a buzzer-beating shot off the glass to give Grand Valley the victory.
On FSU’s senior day, Gay posted a game-high 31 points while fellow senior Justin Keenan piled up 18 points and nine rebounds. Keenan became the all-time leading scoring in GLIAC conference play in his final regular-season home game.
A Wink Arena record of 2,443 fans attended the contest between the GLIAC North champs and their rival.
The loss snapped the Bulldogs 12-game winning streak and marked the first defeat at home this season. Ferris finished the regular season 20-6 overall and 16-3 in conference play.
Despite the loss, the Bulldogs earned the No. 1 seed in the GLIAC Tournament. Ferris and Findlay both finished the regular season with 16-3 conference records, but the Bulldogs earned the top seed by winning the head-to-head matchup 84-66 on Feb. 19.
The Bulldogs will host Saginaw Valley State on March 2 in the GLIAC Tournament Quarterfinals. Ferris will have home court advantage throughout the tournament.