EDINBORO, Pa. - The Union University women's basketball team defeated Ferris State University Saturday evening 73-70 at the 2025 D2CCA Tipoff Classic. Union, ranked No. 2 in the WBCA preseason poll, improved to 1-1 on the season. Ferris State, receiving votes in the preseason poll, dropped to 1-1 as well.

In Friday's classic opening day of play, Union lost to No. 5 Gannon, while Ferris State defeated no. 4 North Georgia. 

Ferris State dominated early, jumping out to a 21-6 first quarter lead with 3:39 left to play. Nora Saffell hit a big 3-pointer to slow the Ferris State start and keep Union in striking distance. Union cut the deficit to 30-20 at the end of the first. 

The comeback had started. Union outscored Ferris State in each of the final three quarters. Union got as close a three points in the second quarter, before settling for a 45-37 deficit at the half. 

Union scored the first eight points of the third quarter to take a 46-45 lead with 6:04 left, its first lead of the night. By the end of the third, Ferris State had retaken the lead, 59-54, but Union was still clipping away. 

In the fourth, a 3-pointer from Courtney Zensen gave Union a 67-66 lead with 6:04 left to play. Neither team scored much the rest of the way, but Union never trailed again.

Abagail Bryan hit the first of two big 3-pointers late, with 4:24 left to give Union a 70-66 lead. Ferris State tied the game at 70-70 with 59 seconds left. Both teams turned the ball over on the next possessions. After a Union timeout, Bryan hit a 3-pointer with 10 seconds left to give Union the 73-70 lead. Ferris State missed on its 3-pointer to tie and Union came away with the win. 

Three players led Union with 12 points each including Zensen, Kynidi Mason Striverson, and Bryan. All three made scored all of their points on four 3-pointers each. Nine players scored for Union. Union shot 40 percent from the field, 40 percent (17-43) from 3-point range, and made all four free throws. Of Union's 26 made field goals, 17 of them were 3-pointers. 

Up next for Union will be a battle with No. 15 Minnesota-Mankato, November 9 at 1 p.m. central time. Minnesota-Mankato won the D2 national title in 2024. 

-UNION-