BIG RAPIDS, Mich. — Parkside's season came to a close Wednesday night inside Jim Wink Arena, as the sixth-seeded Rangers saw a strong first-half effort slip away in the second half of an 82-74 loss to third-seeded Ferris State in the GLIAC Tournament quarterfinals.
Parkside (14-15) got a career night from Lillie Petersen, who finished with a career-best 22 points and 11 rebounds for her fifth double-double of the season. The Rangers also leaned on ball movement throughout the night, assisting on 21 of their 29 made field goals, but Ferris State (25-5) used a decisive third quarter and a major advantage from the 3-point line to punch its ticket to the conference semifinals.
The Rangers set the tone early, leading 19-16 after one quarter while shooting 53% (8-for-15) in the opening frame. Petersen had nine points in the first 10 minutes, while Peighton Nelson scored eight in the quarter on 4-for-5 shooting to help Parkside weather an early Ferris State barrage from deep. The Bulldogs hit 4-of-6 from 3 in the first quarter, but Parkside answered with timely buckets in the paint and took the three-point lead into the second.
Parkside briefly pushed its advantage to six early in the second quarter and continued to win possessions on the glass, finishing the game with 13 offensive rebounds and 11 second-chance points. Ferris State steadied itself behind Kadyn Blanchard and Mya Hiram, who combined for 22 points in the first half, and the Bulldogs trimmed the deficit to just one by halftime. Parkside carried a 37-36 edge into the break, despite Ferris State shooting 50% in the second quarter and continuing to generate transition chances.
The game swung after intermission. Ferris State turned the third quarter into a free-throw parade, going 11-for-12 at the line in the period while Parkside was held to 14 points. The Bulldogs outscored the Rangers 22-14 in the third to seize control, with Parkside also committing key turnovers that fueled Ferris State's pace the other way. The Bulldogs finished with 24 fast-break points and a 14-9 edge in points off turnovers, while Parkside ended the night with 18 turnovers.
Down 58-51 entering the fourth, Parkside tried to make one last push and got within striking distance multiple times, but Ferris State answered with timely scoring and continued to win the math battle from the perimeter. The Bulldogs finished 10-for-22 from three (46%), led by Elle Irwin's 4-for-8 night from deep, while Parkside went 6-for-30 (20%) beyond the arc. Ferris State stretched the margin to as many as 14 in the fourth, and though Parkside kept fighting to the final horn, it could not fully erase the deficit.
Petersen led four Rangers in double figures, going 8-for-15 from the field with four free throws. Katie Hamill posted a double-double of her own with 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Nelson added 12 points and four assists. Cassidy Arni scored 11 points on an efficient 5-for-7 shooting night. Off the bench, Alli Hampel finished with six points, and Lexi Bugajski added four points with three steals.
Ferris State was paced by Blanchard and Hiram, who each scored 22 points and each grabbed 11 rebounds. Mia Riley added 14 points, six assists and seven made free throws, while Irwin finished with 12 points and five assists to go along with four steals.
As a team, Parkside shot 43% from the floor (29-for-68) and finished with a narrow 40-41 rebounding margin, but Ferris State's efficiency from three and 18-for-24 night at the free-throw line proved too much to overcome.
Ferris State advances to Allendale, Mich., to face second-seeded Wayne State in the GLIAC Tournament semifinals.
To keep up with Rangers athletics, visit parksiderangers.com/coverage.
