Bulldogs Get First Win, Outrace Eagles Men, 86-66
December 6, 2003

Complete Box Score

And you thought the race for the mall doors on the day after Thanksgiving was crazy? Well, the Ferris State Bulldogs were in the mood for another holiday bargain and they didn’t wait for customer service to kick in. They helped themselves.

The Bulldogs came to Ashland Saturday (Dec. 6) afternoon with the gas pedal pinned to the floor. An offense directed by Bowling Green transfer Dennis Spring raced up and down the floor on the way to an 86-66 win over the Eagles. The victory was the first of the season for the Bulldogs, who are 1-5, 1-1 in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play. AU is 3-4 and 0-2 in the GLIAC.

Every loose ball seemed to fall in Springs’ hands and the speedy sophomore point guard snapped off passes that cut up the Eagles inside. Springs finished the game with 19 points and nine assists. He expertly drove the lane and then kicked the ball to the wings. That wasn’t a bad option. Junior guard Carlton Epps hit five of seven three-point field goal tries on the way to 26 points and senior guard Willie Thomas added 23 points.

The Bulldogs were in front at halftime, 46-35. A 14-7 run over the first 4:39 of the second half gave the visitors an 18-point advantage, 60-42 with 15:21 to play. Ashland could get no closer than seven points the rest of the way. Every time AU tried to cut into that lead, the Bulldogs had an answer.

The young Eagles also did a lot themselves to prevent a successful comeback. AU gave the ball away 24 times and shot 46.7 percent at the free throw line (7-15). FSU had a 41-33 rebounding edge and brought down 16 offensive rebounds. Those caroms led to numerous second chances for the ‘Dogs.

Freshman forward Greg Emmons led Ashland with 18 points and seven rebounds. Junior guard Michael Fowler and freshman guard Chris Newell scored 11 points each and freshman guard Alex Jones had 10 points and a team-high six assists.

The Eagles return to action this coming Thursday (Dec. 11, 7:30 p.m.) when they visit Mercyhurst for another GLIAC game.