BIG RAPIDS, Mich. — Parkside put together its most complete offensive performance of the season and carried a 12-point halftime lead, but No. 23 Ferris State stormed back with 61 second-half points to hand the Rangers a 96-90 loss Monday night in GLIAC play.
The Rangers (5-7, 0-4 GLIAC) shot efficiently and played with pace early, but couldn't keep up with Ferris State's shooting in the final 20 minutes. The Bulldogs (10-3, 3-1 GLIAC) flipped the game with a dominant third quarter and then sealed it by shooting nearly flawless basketball down the stretch.
Parkside came out aggressive from the opening tip, knocking down shots from all three levels. The Rangers shot 8-16 from the field in the first quarter, including 4-8 from three, to build a 21-17 lead after one. Katie Hamill and Peighton Nelson combined for 13 of Parkside's first 21 points, setting the tone offensively.
The Rangers were even better in the second quarter. Parkside shot 9-14 from the floor and buried 6-8 from beyond the arc in the period, stretching the lead with crisp ball movement and transition scoring. Hamill orchestrated the offense with four assists in the quarter alone, while Nelson and Lillie Petersen continued to space the floor. Parkside closed the half on a 10-2 run to take a 47-35 advantage into the locker room, its largest halftime lead of the season against a ranked opponent.
Parkside pushed the margin to 14 early in the third quarter at 49-35, but Ferris State responded with urgency. The Bulldogs shot 10-14 from the field in the third and connected on 4-7 from three, using a 14-2 run to erase the deficit. Parkside managed just 5-17 shooting in the quarter and was limited to 16 points, allowing Ferris State to grab a 65-63 lead heading into the fourth.
The fourth quarter became a shooting clinic for the Bulldogs. Ferris State went 10-13 from the floor and 3-3 from deep in the final 10 minutes, scoring 31 points and answering every Parkside push. The Rangers stayed within one possession multiple times, but could not string together consecutive stops late.
Despite the loss, Parkside posted season highs across multiple offensive categories. The Rangers finished 34-69 from the field (49%) and 11-29 from three (38%), both season bests, while scoring a season-high 90 points. Parkside also won the second-chance battle 16-8 and forced 22 Ferris State turnovers.
Katie Hamill delivered a career performance, finishing with a career-high 24 points on 9-16 shooting, a season-high eight rebounds, a career-high eight assists and four steals while playing 38 minutes. Peighton Nelson followed with 18 points on 7-14 shooting, including 4-9 from three, and dished out a career-high nine assists. Lillie Petersen added 15 points and six rebounds, while Jaelyn Derlein provided a spark off the bench with 13 points on 4-7 shooting and 3-6 from deep.
Ferris State was paced by Emma Schierbeek's 25 points off the bench on 8-11 shooting and 5-6 from three. Mya Hiram added 19 points and six rebounds, Kadyn Blanchard chipped in 15 points and nine rebounds, and Elle Irwin and Mia Riley scored 14 apiece.
Ferris State finished the night shooting 30-55 from the floor (55%) and 12-24 from three (50%), including a blistering 20-27 mark (74%) across the third and fourth quarters combined. The Bulldogs also scored 21 fast-break points and received 34 points from their bench.
Parkside will look to regroup Thursday, Jan. 8, when the Rangers face Lake Superior State at 5:30 p.m. CT.
To keep up with all things Rangers, be sure to visit parksiderangers.com/coverage.
