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Romeoville, Ill. - Ferris State junior guard Quentin Ruff knocked down a 30-foot three-pointer at the buzzer to force overtime and the Bulldogs' momentum carried on from there as they earned the 83-72 (OT) regional victory over the Lewis University men's basketball team at Neil Carey Arena on Wednesday (Nov. 18) night.

Ferris State outscored the Flyers, 18-7, in the extra session, led by seven points from senior guard Josh Fleming. Fleming had a double-double with a game-high 23 points and 13 rebounds. Ruff and senior center Jared Stolicker (6-for-6) both finished with 14 points.

With the win, Ferris State improves to 3-0 on the campaign, while the host Flyers drop to 2-1 on the campaign.

Lewis sophomore forward Max Strus (Hickory Hills, Ill./Stagg) scored 20 of his team-best 22 points in the first half. Freshman center Frank Vukaj (Davison, Mich./Davison) came off the bench to score 16 points on 7-for-8 shooting, while senior forward Kyle Nelson (St. Charles, Ill./St. Charles North) posted a double-double of 14 points and 14 rebounds. The 14 caroms were a career-high for Nelson.

The Flyers, however, were unable to overcome a season-high 20 turnovers that led to 18 Ferris State points. 16 of those turnovers came in the second half and nine came during a crucial 18-2 Ferris State run that saw the Bulldogs take a 56-46 lead with 6:58 left in the game. Ferris State reserves Peter Firlik (6 points) and Noah King (5 points) combined for 11 points during that stretch.

Vukaj then stepped up with 14 straight points for the Flyers, as Lewis narrowed the Ferris State advantage to 61-60 with 1:57 left in the contest. Both teams would trade free throws to make the score 62-61 with 1:18 left and Ferris State had the ball.

The Flyers induced an errant three-point attempt by Jibreel Jackson (5 points) and freshman Delaney Blaylock (Wyoming, Mich./Godwin Heights) grabbed the rebound. Blaylock (4 points) then converted a hanging lay-up with 37 seconds left to give Lewis the 63-62 lead.

Ferris State missed another three-pointer on its next possession and immediately fouled Strus with five seconds left. Strus (9 rebounds, 4 assists) drained both of his free throws to extend Lewis' advantage to 65-62.

That would set the stage for Ruff's heroics as he took the pass from Drew Cushingberry (6 assists) for the deep three-pointer at the buzzer to give the Bulldogs new life.

"Offensively we struggled, but our kids were resilient and we fought back," Lewis head men's basketball coach Scott Trost said. "We made a run in the second half with three freshmen on the floor. Max (Strus) did what he could and I thought Frank (Vukaj) was fantastic in the second half.

"This is a tough one," Trost continued. "It hurts, but we have to be able to bounce back and move on."

Lewis returns to action on Saturday (Nov. 21), as the Flyers welcome Saginaw Valley State to Neil Carey Arena for a 6 PM tip-off.