Parkside 86, Ferris State 82
The Parkside Women's Basketball team got their first win of the 2020-21 season over Ferris State, behind a career-high 32 points from junior Alyssa Nelson. Nelson also pulled in nine rebounds and dished out three assists to go with 10-of-17 shooting from the field, and 5-of-11 from three.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Ferris State were able to jump out to an early lead thanks to seven first quarter points from the Bulldogs' Kadyn Blanchard, which led them to a 19-10 lead at the end of the frame. The Rangers bounced back emphatically in the second quarter thanks to an 8-0 run in the first three minutes. That 8-0 run ballooned to a 32-15 run that saw Parkside heading into the halftime break with a 42-36 lead.
 
The Bulldogs responded out of halftime with a 13-5 run of their own before a basket from Parkside sophomore Maja Leidefors tied the game up at 49. Both teams traded baskets for the remainder of the third quarter, until a three from junior Courtney Schoenbeck put Parkside up 62-60.
 
The fourth quarter was controlled by the Rangers, who found themselves up 10 with three minutes left to go. Ferris State pulled the game back to a three-point deficit with :56 left in the game, but a Nelson three with :22 seconds left on the clock sealed the game for Parkside. Nelson finished the quarter with 14 points.
 
HEAR FROM COACH CONELY
"I thought we did a good job of battling back after a slow start," said head coach Jen Conely. "It took us awhile to get in a rhythm offensively, but it was great to see us adjust in the 2^nd quarter. Alyssa did a fantastic job of being aggressive and hit a huge three when they cut it to three with less than two minutes to go."
 
"Defensively, we have to do a better job executing our game plan," Conely continued. "We need to have more pride in our ability to defend and stop giving up so many points. We are excited about the win and are looking forward to game two tomorrow."
 
A LOOK AT THE BOX SCORE
Nelson led the Green & White with 32, nine rebounds, and three assists. The only other Ranger in double figures was Schoenbeck, who finished with 10 points and four steals. The Bulldogs were led by Blanchard who finished with 25 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Mallory McCartney also finished with 19 points and seven assists.
 
Parkside was able to outshoot the Bulldogs, going 31-of-61 (50.8-percent) from the field, 9-of-23 (39.1-percent) from three, and 15-of-22 (68.2-percent) from the charity stripe, while the hosts went 29-of-67 (43.3-percent) from the field, 8-of-25 (32.0-percent) from three, and 16-of-18 (88.9-percent) from the free throw line. Both teams scored 40 points in the paint, with the Bulldogs winning the battle on the boards (+4).
 
WHAT'S NEXT
Parkside will finish its doubleheader against Ferris State tomorrow at noon. Following, the Rangers will return home to take on the Grand Valley State Lakers on Friday, Jan. 22 at 3 p.m., and Saturday, Jan. 23 at 3 p.m.