BIG RAPIDS, Mich. – Lewis' women's basketball team was unable to overcome a rough second quarter in its 88-69 loss at Ferris State's Wink Arena in Big Rapids, Mich., on Sunday afternoon. The Flyers drop to 3-4 on the season while the Bulldogs improve to 5-1.

The first quarter went back-and-forth and was tied at 12 after a three-pointer by Rachel Hinders (Johnston, Iowa/Johnston) with 5:46 to go in the stanza. Ferris State got seven straight points from Riley Blair in the span of 1:14 to grab its largest lead of the quarter at 19-12. The Flyers got back-to-back buckets from Reilly Olmstead (Brownsburg, Ind./Brownsburg) to trim the lead to three late in the quarter but Blair hit a three right before the period expired to give the Bulldogs a 22-16 lead at the quarter break.

Ferris State carried that momentum over to the second quarter as it outscored Lewis 14-2 over the first 2:35 to build an 18-point lead on a layup from Blair. The Bulldogs extended its lead to as many as 26 on two free throws by Amanda Gibson with less than three minutes to play in the half. The Flyers were able to cut into the lead by scoring the final five points of the half to head into the locker room.

FSU couldn't miss in the second quarter shooting 73 percent (11-for-15) from the floor, was 3-of-4 from three and shot 86 percent at the foul line. Blair led all scorers with 22 points on 9-of-10 shooting and was 4-for-4 from three. Gibson had nine points off the bench.

After shooting 58 percent in the opening quarter, Lewis was held to just 6-of-19 shooting in the second frame but still finished the half shooting nearly 42 percent (13-for-31) from the field. It was 4-of-11 from three and 2-for-2 at the foul line but turned the ball over 10 times which resulted in nine points for FSU.

Hinders led the Flyers with 13 points while Kaitlyn Williams (Homer Glen, Ill./Joliet Catholic) added eight and Reilly Olmstead (Brownsburg, Ind./Brownsburg) finished with six.

The Bulldogs opened the third quarter scoring the first seven points but Lewis outscored them 17-10 the rest of the quarter to head into the final quarter trailing by 21.

The Flyers got it as close as 16 late in the contest on a layup by Grace Hilber (Sun Prairie, Wis./Sun Prairie) but Ellie Hardy's three on the ensuing possession gave Ferris State its final margin.

Lewis finished the contest shooting 38 percent (27-for-71) from the field, was 8-of-29 (28 percent) from three and shot 78 percent at the foul line. It was outrebounded by the Bulldogs 42-to-39. The Flyers had the edge in second chance points 20-to-12 and in bench points 37-to-36.

Olmstead and Hinders led the way with 13 points apiece while Williams added 12 and Hilber had a career-high 11 points. The 13 points for Olmstead were also a career-high for her as well. Hinders had eight rebounds and Dajae Black (Chicago, Ill./Marist) dished out five assists.

Ferris State shot 49 percent (34-for-69) from the field, was 11-of-23 (48 percent) from three and shot 75 percent at the foul line. It outscored Lewis in the paint 38-to-32, points off of turnovers 15-to-11 and fast break points 17-to-8.

Blair led all scorers with 28 points and was joined in double figures by Gibson with 15 while Mallory McCartney added 10 points. McCartney dished out a game-high seven assists and Renee Sturm led the Bulldogs with seven rebounds.

The Flyers return home on Tuesday evening hosting Illinois Springfield in the GLVC opener for both squads beginning at 5:30 p.m. at Neil Carey Arena.