(NORTH CANTON, Ohio) – Walsh fell to Ferris State by a score of 79-68 in GLIAC action Saturday afternoon at Alumni Arena. The Cavaliers (5-8, 1-7) had a strong start to the game and held a double-digit lead, but the Bulldogs (4-6, 4-4) recovered to take a lead into halftime.

Midway through the first half, the Cavs used a 12-3 run capped by a layup from Whitney Dabbelt (Jr., 6-1, West Carrollton, OH/Archbishop Alter) to take a 26-16 lead with 8:34 to go before the break. It was at that time, however, that the momentum tide switched sides and Ferris State took fire. The Bulldogs proceeded to go on a 10-1 run to come within a single point with 3:49 left in the half. They eventually tied the game and took the lead on consecutive baskets by Sarah DeShone and Destiny Robinson to end the half up 34-32.

After halftime, Walsh regained the lead shortly after a 3-pointer by Kelsey Funderburgh (So., 5-7, North Lewisburgh, OH/Triad/Morehead State) and a jumper by Jalynn Graham (Fr., 5-5, Columbus, OH/Central Crossing) made it 37-36, but the Bulldogs retaliated with 10-0 run to take the lead for good. The closest Walsh could get the rest of the way was after Alyssa Jones (Jr., 5-9, Louisville, OH/HS) scored to make it 61-53 with 6:55 remaining.

Walsh struggled near the basket as the Cavs were outscored 36-22 inside the paint. The Bulldogs also controlled the glass with a 47-27 edge on rebounds.

Ferris State also shot well as it made 60 percent of its shots in the second half and were 52.7 percent from the field for the game.

Funderburgh led the team with 19 points and five rebounds. Defensively she added three steals and a block. Tara Gallupe (Sr., 6-0, Pittsburgh, PA/Avonworth) added 17 and Rachel Trujillo (So., 5-8, Cleveland, OH/Westlake) scored 10 to round out the Cavaliers in double figures.

The Cavs will now be on the road for three consecutive games on Monday, Thursday and Saturday. Walsh plays at Clarion on Monday first in a game that was originally scheduled in November. The Cavs then return to conference action at Ashland to take on the defending national champions on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. before heading to Painesville to take on Lake Erie at 1 p.m. on Saturday.