Tom Lesko Volunteer Assistant Coach | Ferris State Bulldogs Website
Tom Lesko Volunteer Assistant Coach | Ferris State Bulldogs Website
The Ferris State University men's basketball team concluded its postseason journey with a loss to Minnesota State in the NCAA Division II Elite Eight. The game took place on Tuesday, March 26, in Evansville, Indiana. The Bulldogs were defeated by the top-seeded Mavericks with a final score of 98-70.
Ferris State ended their season with an impressive 28-8 record, achieving a share of the second-most wins in the program's history. This season marked their first appearance in the D2 Elite Eight since 2018 when they won their first NCAA D2 National Championship. It was also the third time overall that Ferris State reached this stage in program history.
During the national quarterfinals, Minnesota State led 51-32 at halftime. Although Ferris State managed to narrow the gap to 11 points early in the second half, they could not close it further. Minnesota State advanced to the national semifinals with a strong record of 33-2.
Minnesota State shot an efficient 58.5% from the field and made 14 out of 23 three-point attempts (60.9%), while forcing Ferris State into committing 13 turnovers. In contrast, Ferris State shot only 38.5% for the game and struggled from beyond the arc with five-of-20 shooting (25%) and converted just 15-of-25 free throws (60%). However, they did hold a slight advantage in rebounding with a difference of 37-26.
Senior forward DeSean Munson led Ferris State with 11 points, while junior forward Deng Reng contributed ten points. For Minnesota State, Kyreese Willingham scored 25 points, Malik Willingham added 21 points, and Elijah Hazekamp contributed 14 points as they moved forward in the tournament.
This matchup was only the second meeting between Ferris State and Minnesota State and their first encounter since 1992. Before this game, Ferris State had been on a nine-game winning streak, including six consecutive postseason victories.
The game marked the final collegiate appearance for six Bulldog seniors: Ben Davidson, Vejas Grazulis, Amari Lee, Dolapo Olayinka, Jack Ammerman, and DeSean Munson.
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