On this episode of Ferris Sports Update, this week’s host is Rob Bentley who is first joined by Andy Bronkema, head coach of the men’s basketball team. The two discuss the highlights of the men’s basketball games at Michigan Tech and Northern Michigan University as well as the upcoming game against Davenport and Grand Valley State. Next, Bentley is joined by Mark Kaufman, the assistant coach of the men’s hockey team. Kaufman gives a breakdown of the game against Minnesota State, and Bentley and Kaufman talk about the upcoming games against Lake Superior State and Sault Ste. Marie. The last guest is Kurt Westendorp, the head coach of the women’s basketball team. Bentley and Westendorp talk about the games against Michigan Tech and Northern Michigan University. They also discuss the upcoming games against Davenport and Grand Valley State.
Men’s Basketball
First up on this week’s episode of Ferris Sports Update, host Rob Bentley chats with men’s basketball coach Andy Bronkema about the team’s recent matchups against conference opponents Michigan Tech and Northern Michigan.
On January 11 the bulldogs traveled to the UP to face off against the Huskies of Michigan Tech. The game was a close one with neither team gaining large leads. The game was Jed 32-32 at halftime, and the two squads continued to battle throughout the second half, with the game coming down to the final moments. With just seconds leading in the game, Ferris State junior Ethan Erickson hit what would be a game winning 3 pointer to seal the victory for the Bulldogs 69-68. Coach Bronkema highlighted the physicality of both teams and praised how well the Huskies played on defense.
The Bulldogs continued their road trip in the Upper Peninsula with a game against Northern Michigan on January 13. Ferris held the lead for most of the game with Northern Rallying to cut Ferris’s led to 2 points score difference of 38-36 at halftime. In the second half the Bulldogs continued to hold the advantage over the Wildcats. But Northern would come back late in the game and take the lead over the bulldogs and would ultimately win the game 75-71.
The bulldogs carry a 13-3 record into their next two games, which are at home facing off against Davenport on Thursday, January 18 and chief rival Grand Valley on Saturday January 20.
Hockey
Rob Bentley is joined by Assistant Coach Mark Kaufman as he brings hockey news to Ferris Sports Update. With two away games played in Mankato, MN against Minnesota State on 1/12/24 and 1/13/24 Minnesota takes home the win for both games, But Ferris did not walk away without a fight.
First game on Friday Ferris walks away with two goals. Although they left with a loss Ferris’s goal tender Logan Stein made Sportscenter for his outstanding saves and plays during the weekend’s games. Saturday’s game had a rocky start with Assistant Coach Mark Kaufman stating, *“We are getting some good production out of our top players but have to get more scoring and more quality chances from our bottom 6 forwards.” On Saturday’s game Ferris lost putting zero goals on the board but will work hard in practice and be prepared for future games. Coming up Ferris will be playing against Lake Superior State on January 19th and 20th.
Women’s Basketball
Returning for another segment on Ferris Sport’s Update is the head coach of women’s basketball, Kurt Westendorp He comments on how well the team has been doing, 10-2 going into the second half of the season, all while battling long travel distances. Being a team led by a lot of veteran players for Ferris, Westendorp and the team are ready to settle in too many more home games and finish out strong heading into March.
Over this past weekend we saw the team travel north, to Michigan Tech and Northern Michigan. Starting off against Michigan Tech, Ferris lead a very strong first half and continued that momentum through the second half to win the game, 66-54. Westendorp mentions performances by Elle Irwin and Kenzie Bowers, commenting on the trust found within the team and their resilience when it comes to the mental side of the game.
Feeling good heading to Marquette to face off against Northern Michigan, Ferris started off strong, and really picked things up even more going into the last half of the game. Contributions from the entire roster led Ferris to a victory, winning 79-67. Westendorp mentions the difficulty of the opposing team causing them to change up their overall gameplan, which was accomplished through great performances from Mya Hiram, who had a career high of 22 points.
Westendorp really focused on exemplifying Ferris’ ability to have a very strong roster, with each person having a crucial role to play that overall lead to victory this weekend. He emphasized how important having the lead of the game allowed them to control the overall pace and spoke on how these two games were some of the best played so far this season. Ferris now looks towards this coming weekend, where they play against Davenport and Grand Valley.