Big Rapids, Mich. -- The Wayne State University women's hoops squad (7-5 overall, 2-2 GLIAC) fell to #30-Ferris State University (10-3 overall, 4-0 GLIAC) on the road 82-65 to conclude the team's two game road trip.

HOW IT HAPPENED
FIRST QUARTER
FSU's Mya Hiram connected on a mid-range jumper to start the game, with Kenzie Bowers knocking down a three to put the Bulldogs ahead 5-0.  Taylor Thompson (Gand Blac, Mich.) put the Warriors on the board with a deep-range jumper of her own.  After just over a minute of scoreless play, Lexi Boyke (Frankenmuth, Mich.) found the bottom of the net on a lay-up.  A pair of free throw's by Mia Riley gave Ferris State the advantage once more, before Gabi Lutchka (Grass Lake, Mich.) nailed a long-range jump shot to claim the first lead of the contest for the Warriors.  The lead was short lived, as Deshonna Day made a three of her own, putting FSU back on top.  Thompson re-tied to game at 10 points apiece after the junior sunk a lay-up.  The Bulldogs closed the stanza with an 11-4 spurt, holding a 21-14 lead after 10 minutes.

SECOND QUARTER
Both squads began the second period slow offensively, as the first points were scored by Kadyn Blanchard by way of the charity stripe at the 8:38 mark, while the first basket came just under a minute later, with Lutchka sinking a jumper.  Following another FSU free throw, the teams exchanged threes, as Ferris State held a 27-19 advantage mid way through the second quarter.  At the 1:42 mark, FSU's Emma Schierbeek splashed a shot from behind the arc to give the Bulldogs a 15 point lead (40-25), before Lutchka made two critical shots, to cut the Ferris State lead to 10 entering the half.

THIRD QUARTER
Coming out of the break, Thompson and Alyssa Leister (St. Louis, Mich. / Alma) both connected on shots to bring the Warriors within five (40-35), but were quickly matched with five quick points from FSU to push its lead back to 10 (45-35).  Ferris State and Wayne State went back-and-fourth, with WSU coming within four points of FSU (49-45) after an Ally Shagena lay-in.  The Bulldogs finished the quarter with a 14-2 run, heading into the final 10 minutes with a 63-47 advantage.

FOURTH QUARTER
FSU struck first in the final period with a Bowers three to extend its lead to 19 (66-47).  WSU went just 5-of-18 (27.8 percent) from the field in the final quarter scoring 18 points.  While Ferris State made only six of its 16 shot attempts, five of those six were from deep, securing the FSU win.

TEAM STATS
WSU finished the game going 31.2 percent from the floor (24-of-77), including 9-of-25 from three.  FSU made 42.6 percent of its shots (26-of-61), knocking down 18-of-38 from beyond the arc.  Although they secured 40 total rebounds, the Warriors lost the rebound battle 50-40, and were outscored 50-17 on fast break points.

LEADING THE WARRIORS
Gabi Lutchka scored a season-best 22 points on 8-of-22 shooting, including 6-of-12 from deep.  Taylor Thompson had another double-double, her sixth of the season, with 10 points, and team-high 10 rebounds.  Shea Tripp (Jackson, Mich. / Michigan Center) had nine points and a game-high four steals.  Alyssa Leister dished out a game-best six assists.

LEADING THE BULLDOGS
Kenzie Bowers and Kadyn Blanchard both finished the game with  double-doubles as Bowers scored 12 points and hauled in a game-high 11 rebounds, while Blanchard tallied 16 points and nabbed 10 boards.  Bowers, Blanchard, and Elle Irwin each assisted on five shots, with Irwin leading FSU with three steals.

UP NEXT
The Wayne State University women's basketball team will return home, as they will play host to both Parkside and Purdue Northwest on January 9 and 11 at the WSU Fieldhouse.  The Parskide game will tip-off at 5:30 PM, with the Purdue Northwest contest beginning at 1:00 PM.