BIG RAPIDS, Mich.— The Purdue Northwest Men's Basketball team took on no.13-ranked Ferris State Saturday afternoon. In a tough battle with the Bulldogs, the Pride let the lead slip away with just under five minutes left in the game, losing a back-and-forth contest 82-77. Head Coach Boomer Roberts had nothing but praise for his team with an optimistic attitude heading back to Hammond for a homestand next weekend.
 
"I'm darn proud of our guys," said Roberts. "We had one of the best teams in the country on the ropes on the road, leading for most of the game. Our guards handled their pressure and defended well, and Doss, Jyro, Gabe, and AB were huge. Doss played great. Unfortunately, one of our best players (Anthony Barnard) went down and we couldn't hold them off. Credit to Ferris."
 
A high-flying dunk from Jordan Doss early in the game gave the Pride (7-12, 2-9 GLIAC) both a 9-7 lead and momentum during a huge first half run. PNW hit their first six three pointers and led 31-19, led by Doss and Gabe Toombs, who both went 2-3 from behind the arc in the first half. The hot hand from the Pride eventually cooled down, missing their next six three-pointers. Ferris State (20-3, 9-2 GLIAC) climbed out of the hole with a 15-1 run of their own as a result. At the half, the Pride regained the lead, 38-37. The Bulldogs did some damage down low, as they scored 26 of their 37 points from inside the paint.
 
In the first nine minutes of the second half, PNW maintained a steady lead while trading buckets with the Bulldogs. With 11:24 left on the clock, Ferris State tied the game at 55. The following seven minutes of the game had all 1,500 fans on the edge of their seats, as the lead changed ten times. Neither team led by more than six points during the second half.
 
A few missed opportunities and an untimely foul by the Pride in the final two minutes of the game gave Ferris State three shots at the line, resulting in a five-point deficit that the Black and Gold were not able to overcome. Timothy Gilmore hit a clutch three-pointer that made it a two-point game again with 1:05 left in the game, but a turnover and three missed shots from deep doomed PNW.
 
"We've closed a big gap this year, but to actually catch the best, we have to be completely disciplined on every possession," continued Roberts. "We will learn, we will grow, we will have a great week of practice, and we will be ready to play two more fantastic teams at home next week. Hope our gym is packed a we keep taking steps forward."
 
The Pride return home on Thursday as they welcome the Grand Valley State Lakers to John Friend Court. Tipoff at the Hammond Fitness and Recreation Center is at 7:00 PM (CT).