Oilers Advance To Finals, Win 82-69 Over FSU

The University of Findlay men's basketball team advanced to the championship game of the 2010 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Tournament after defeating Ferris State University 82-69 on Friday, March 5 in Croy Gymnasium. The win gives the Oilers a shot at their fifth tournament title and improved their record to 23-6 on the season.

The first half of the game was the Nathan Hyde show as he drained six three pointers to help give Findlay a 39-30 lead at the break.

The Oilers then fought through the second half to pick up the victory as they shot 47.9 percent (23-of-48) from the floor and drained 28-of-36 (77.8%) of their free throw attempts.

Findlay also connected on 8-of-14 (57.1%) shots from behind the three point line and scored 26 points off of 16 turnovers by the Bulldogs.

Hyde tied his career-high with 34 points, hitting 9-of-14 shots overall which included a 7-of-10 showing from the three point line.

The junior also hit all nine of his free throw attempts and grabbed six rebounds in the win.

Junior center Jason Wehri added 12 points and six rebounds while junior forward Tyler Sparks contributed 10 points, seven rebounds and three steals.

Senior guard Marcus Parker chipped in 10 points and nine assists while freshman forward Jack Smith came off the bench to add nine points and three rebounds.

The Bulldogs were led by Darien Gay and Justin Keenan who scored 23 and 22 points respectively in the game.

The Oilers will be back in action again tomorrow against Hillsdale College at 7:00 p.m. in the championship game of the GLIAC Tournament.

Hillsdale defeated Grand Valley State University 61-53 in the second game of Friday's action behind 16 points from Brent Eaton.