As the seasons come to a close, the Ferris State men’s and women’s basketball teams host the Northern Michigan Wildcats and the Michigan Tech Huskies in the final homestand of the regular season.
The women’s team looks to carry its momentum into the playoffs, while the men look to jump in the standings
Women
Ferris State (19-4, 12-2 in GLIAC) is currently on a six-game win streak and they are 3-0 in February. The Bulldogs are averaging 79.4 points per game, as well as averaging 40 rebounds per game and 19.3 assists per game.
Senior guard Kadyn Blanchard leads the Bulldogs in scoring with 16.5 points per game, while also averaging 5.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists. Hiram leads the Bulldogs in rebounds with 7.0 per game and field goal percentage with 50.7%. Senior guard Emma Shierbeek leads the team with a three-point percentage of 38.9%.
Blanchard talks about how important these last few games are before the playoffs begin for herself and the team.
“As the season comes to a close, these next couple of games are crucial, especially for GLIAC tournament seeding and national tournament seeding,” Blanchard said. “Hosting the first few games is a big advantage and one we would definitely like to have. Personally, I’m trying not to think about the if and ands. I’m just trying to enjoy these last few regular season games with my teammates and the last games in Wink Arena.”
Northern Michigan (20-5, 11-4 in GLIAC) is 3-1 in February. The Wildcats are averaging 73.8 points per game, as well as averaging 41.2 rebounds and 13.9 assists. Senior guard Jacy Weisbrod leads the team with 16.6 points per game and a three-point percentage with 41.1% from deep.
These two teams last played in Marquette on Jan. 12, with the Bulldogs winning 70-52.
Michigan Tech (14-8, 8-6 in GLIAC) is 2-0 in February. The Huskies are averaging 67.0 points per game and are led in scoring by sophomore guard Ella Mason. Mason is currently averaging 14.3 points per game on 40.5% shooting and 35.5% from three-point range. Sophomore guard Kendall Standfest leads the team with 6.3 rebounds a game.
These two teams last played in Houghton on Jan. 10, with Ferris State winning 73-64.
Bulldog senior forward Mya Hiram likes how the girls have been playing this season.
“I’m very pleased with the way our team has been playing,” Hiram said. “We’ve been constantly improving, and people have been stepping up in big moments. I think we still have more left in the tank and that’s what’s going to propel us into the postseason.”
Men
The Bulldogs (9-12, 6-8 in GLIAC) are 0-3 in February and are on a four-game losing streak. Ferris is averaging 77.7 points per game, 40 rebounds per game, and 16 assists per game.
Senior Mykel Bingham leads the team in scoring with 13.1 a game and rebounding with 8.3
Senior Brandon Claerbaut is excited for the last few home games of his Bulldog career.
“I’m super excited to play the last few games as a Bulldog,” Claerbaut said. “I’ve been very grateful to be at Ferris these last five years and appreciative of all the relationships I’ve been able to build. I’m excited to play in front of the home crowd one last time, and I don’t take it for granted whatsoever.”
Northern Michigan (21-4, 12-3 in GLIAC) is 2-1 in February and is averaging 82.9 points, 39.3 rebounds and 16.5 assists per game. Graduate forward Dylan Kuehl leads the Wildcats in scoring with 19.7 a game on 54.3% shooting. Northern beat Ferris when they last played in Marquette by a score of 95-66
Michigan Tech (21-4, 12-3 in GLIAC) is 3-0 in February. The Huskies are averaging 73.9 points per game, as well as 38.4 rebounds and 13.4 assists per game.
Senior guard Marcus Tomashek leads the team as the only player above ten points with 21.5 a game. Tomashek also leads the team with 2.9 assists per game. The Huskies beat the Bulldogs when they last played by a score of 81-72.
Ferris State will host Northern Michigan on Saturday, Feb. 21, with the women playing at 1 p.m. and the men at 3 p.m. The Bulldogs will then host Michigan Tech on Monday, Feb. 23, at 5:30 p.m. for the women and 7:30 p.m. for the men in the final two home games of both teams’ regular seasons.