The Ferris State Bulldogs’ 2022-23 season is over after they advanced to the Midwest Regional Quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II Tournament and lost to the University of Missouri St. Louis.
They entered the tournament on a loss after dropping the final regular season game to their rival, Grand Valley State University, and missed the opportunity to clinch a share of the GLIAC regular season championship.
Entering the GLIAC tournament, the Bulldogs were the 2-seed, behind the University of Wisconsin-Parkside.
After falling short in the GLIAC tournament to Northern Michigan University 67-59 in the semifinals, the team found out they made the NCAA Division II tournament as the 6-seed in the Midwest.
In the tournament, the Bulldogs met #3 Ashland University in the quarterfinals where the Bulldogs pulled off the upset win 71-70 to advance.
In the quarterfinal game against the #2 University of Missouri St. Louis, the Bulldogs led by two at the half but fell 82-68, ending the Bulldog’s season.
The Bulldogs finished the season with a 24-9 overall record and 13-5 in GLIAC conference play.
In 33 games the Bulldogs averaged 84.8 points per game, shooting 48.5% from the field, 38.3% from three-point range and 76.1% from the free throw line.
As a team, they averaged 41.2 rebounds per game with 11.5 of those rebounds coming on the offensive side. The Bulldogs also averaged 19.6 assists per game.
The Bulldogs averaged 30.2 field goals made per game, 8.1 three-point field goals made per game and made 16.2 free throws per game.
Defensively, the Bulldogs averaged seven steals per game and four blocks per game.
The Bulldogs allowed 70.9 points per game, holding their opponents to 41.2% shooting from the field and 32.7% from the three-point range.
At home this season the Bulldogs took advantage of playing on their court surrounded by their fans, as they posted a 16-2 record.
On the road, the Bulldogs went 6-5 on the season.
The Bulldogs had three players average double digits in scoring.
Leading the Bulldogs this season in scoring was Solomon Oraegbu. He averaged 18.2 points per game this season, appeared in 32 games and started in 30. He shot 51.3% from the field and 41.7% from three-point range.
Ben Davidson also appeared and started in all 33 games this season, averaging 13 points per game on 48.1% from the field and 42.7% from the three-point range.
Ethan Erickson appeared in 30 games for the Bulldogs off the bench, averaging 11.7 points on 46.7% from the field and 47.3% from three-point range.
Amari Lee averaged 4.8 assists per game in 33 games off the bench to lead the Bulldogs. Jimmy Scholler averaged 3.5 assists per game and Ben Davidson averaged 2.6 assists per game.
Leading the Bulldogs in rebounds was Mykel Bingham with 6.2 rebounds in 33 games and starting in 19. Dolapo Olayinka averaged 5.9 rebounds in 23 games and started in 19. Reece Hazelton averaged 4.8 rebounds in 33 games and started in three.
The Bulldogs fell short of a championship this season in both the regular season and postseason play.
Next year the Bulldogs will be looking to win the championships that eluded them this season, as they will have a majority of the team returning. They will be more experienced and will be eyeing a later push into March.