SOMERS, Wisc.—The Bellarmine University men's basketball team's season came to end today, when it ran into a red-hot Ferris State team and dropped a 100-84 decision in the opening round of the NCAA Midwest Regional being hosted by Wisconsin-Parkside.
The seventh-seeded Bulldogs, who on the season shot just 33 percent from long range, made seven of their first eight 3-pointers to run out to a 17-point by the under eight media timeout. Compounding the problem for the Knights was the fact that they were stone cold from the outside, making just one of their first seven triples.
Although Ferris State cooled off a bit in the second period and the Knights made several runs, the Bulldogs were able to hold off the Bellarmine challenges and extended their lead in the late going by knocking down 24 of 26 second half free throws, despite making just 62.3 percent from the charity stripe during the regular season.
"All the credit goes to Ferris State," said Bellarmine Coach
Scott Davenport. "They were much the best."
Davenport added, "the game is decided in the first half when they're eight of 11 (from the 3-point line.) It was incredible. They shoot 63 percent from the field and 73 from the three point line."
"That being said," Davenport continued, "at the under 8 we're down eight, and we miss two free throws. We could have made it a six-point game, and we're right on schedule. Then, we miss a block out and they get an 'and-one,' and the game goes from six to 11. I thought at that point they were just playing to shorten the game. I thought we were going to win the game. We set a schedule at halftime and we were right on schedule. In that segment, from the under 8 to the under 4, they outrebound us by seven and the game is essentially over."
For the game, Ferris State hit 54.2 percent from the field to become the only team to shoot better than 50 percent against the Knights all season. From three-point range, the Bulldogs were even better, making 10 of 16 for 62.5 percent.
Second-seeded Bellarmine, which was playing without center
Yasin Kolo for the first time this season due to health reasons, posted decent offensive numbers with 46.2 percent shooting and 17 assists, but they lost badly on the backboards where FSU held a 40-29 rebounding advantage.
The Knights also controlled the ball well, with only seven turnovers. However, Ferris converted those into 14 points while Bellarmine forced 11 Bulldog turnovers but only scored eight points off their miscues.
Seniors
George Suggs and
Michael Parrish closed their careers with solid performances. Suggs led all scorers with 20 and tied for game-high rebounding honors with eight. Parrish was just one shy of his career high with eight assists while committing just one over. The 5-8 Fern Creek product added eight points.
Bellarmine placed five players in double figures with
Rusty Troutman adding 15,
Josh Derksen contributing 12,
Al Davis dropping in 11, and
Adam Eberhard coming off the bench for 10.
Ferris also had a very balanced attack with six players scoring in double figures, led by Drew Cushingberry with 18.
The Knights finish the season at 23-7—the eighth year in a row Bellarmine has won at least 23 games.
Ferris State improves to 23-9 and will play Indianapolis tomorrow in the regional semifinals.
BOX SCORE (HTM)
