HOUGHTON, Mich. — Ferris State made 57 percent of its field goals including 69 percent from 3-point range to defeat Michigan Tech, 88-83, in men's basketball today at the SDC Gym. The Bulldogs improved to 9-12 overall and 4-6 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference with the win while the Huskies fell to 10-9 overall and 5-6 in league play.

Three straight layups gave FSU a seven-point lead late in the first half before Fedrick Bowe scored on a put back to draw the Huskies within 39-34 at halftime.

Robby Springborn's 3-pointer five minutes into the second half pulled Tech within 51-50. The visitors answered with a 15-6 run for a 66-56 advantage at the 9:39 mark. The Huskies started fouling to extend the game with just under three minutes to play. The strategy partly paid off as Springborn made two free throws with 51 seconds left to get within 81-78.

FSU's C.J. VanWieren, who entered the game as a 36 percent free throw shooter, then made two free throws to push the margin back to five. Tech moved within three points of the lead twice more in the final 30 seconds, but Ferris State made its free throws each time to ice the win.

"Everything we built in our win on Thursday was gone today," said head coach Kevin Luke. "We didn't compete, play hard or make smart plays. I'm extremely disappointed."

Springborn finished with 24 points for Tech, and Sean Geary added a career-high 16 points. Kevin Maloney knocked down four 3-pointers for 12 points. Bowe tallied 10 points and seven rebounds.

Tech took 11 more shots than the Bulldogs thanks to a 34-28 rebounding edge and committing just seven turnovers. The Huskies converted 42 percent from the field and couldn't keep up with FSU's 57 percent clip. Each team sported a 23-of-29 mark at the free throw line for 79 percent.

Michigan Tech will return to action next Saturday (Feb. 2) at Lake Superior State. The Huskies and Lakers are scheduled to tip off at 3 p.m.