Titans Prevail in Nail Biter

Ferris drops its third straight game in home game against U-Hi

By Ryan Minnerly

Ferris continues to struggle to remove the “winless” label that describes their season thus far. In a home game against the University Titans, the Saxons kept it close but were outplayed in the end. The final score, 68-62, shows the best losing margin thus far for the favored Ferris team. Regardless, the Saxons are very eager to get rolling this season by getting a victory. 

The game against U-Hi was much better than have been the past two competitions with Gonzaga Prep and Shadle. Ferris was never ahead by stunning margins, but neither were the opposing Titans. Ferris was up by as many as 6 in the first quarter, and headed into the second period up with a 15-12 advantage. U-Hi won the second quarter, outscoring Ferris 18-12, leaving Ferris at a two-point deficit going into halftime (30-28). The first half Saxons  better then they have as of late. A couple threes from sophomore guard Chris Wilson helped the Ferris cause and continued to throughout the game. Junior Grant Livingston also buried a three-pointer of his own in the first quarter when left wide open by a Titan defender. The combined effort on offense and defense of Ferris left them down just two points heading into the second half of the competition.

The Saxons were outscored by just two points in each of the following quarters, scoring 16 in the third quarter and 18 in the fourth. In the end it was free throws that sealed the deal in the fourth period for University. U-Hi  held their lead for almost the entire game following the first quarter. The Titans were led by Kyle Bailey who had 26 of their 68 points, and had 19 of those points in the second half of the game. The youngest player on the Saxons starting lineup, sophomore Chris Wilson, led the offensive attack for Ferris, scoring 21 points and making it rain from three-point range, nailing 5-8 attempts from long range. Senior teammate Connor Halliday contributed his share as well with a double-double. Halliday racked in 12 rebounds to match his 12 points, and also buried two three-pointers for Ferris. The home team drained a total of 9 three-pointers – 5 from Wilson, 2 from Halliday, and one apiece from Livingston and senior Jason Bates.

The 6 point loss to U-Hi is the second league loss for Ferris and third loss overall. They are winless, but noticeably improving. The boys looked much more organized in Saturday’s game than they did in their season opener. Ferris was also without sophomore Chase Haack and starting point guard Jordan Tonani, who were both out with injuries. Despite these absences, Ferris still kept themselves within a few points of winning all game. U-Hi seemed to live and die from three-point range, putting up many threes and hitting them remarkably well at times, and not as great at others. This six point loss is the closest margin of defeat Ferris has had thus far. The Saxons are hungry for victory, and it is North Central that has to answer to that craving on Monday at Ferris. Good luck boys, get that win!