Oilers Defeat Huskies 69-61

The University of Findlay men's basketball team held off Michigan Technological University by a score of 69-61 on Thursday, February 18 in Croy Gymnasium. The win gives the Oilers an 18-6 record on the season with a 14-5 mark in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC).

The Oilers trailed by one at the break as Mike Hojnacki hit a three at the buzzer to give the Huskies a 33-32 advantage. Michigan Tech then controlled the tempo of the game for most of the second half before Findlay went on a crucial 9-0 run late in the game.

Trailing 55-51 with just over five minutes remaining, junior forward Tyler Sparks and junior center Jason Wehri converted back-to-back lay-ups to tie the game with four minutes remaining.

Senior guard Marcus Parker then converted a three point play which was followed by a lay-up from junior guard Nathan Hyde to give the Oilers a 60-55 lead with 1:41 showing on the clock.

Findlay then hit 9-of-10 free throws down the stretch to secure the victory and extend their home winning streak to 50 straight games. They have won 88 straight in the regular season at home as well.

As a team, Findlay shot 44.7 percent (21-of-47) from the floor and connected on 25-of-32 (78.1%) of their shots from the charity stripe.

Hyde led the Oilers with 19 points and a career-high eight rebounds while Wehri added 14 points and seven boards.

Parker chipped in 14 points as well while Sparks had nine points, seven rebounds and a pair of steals.

The Huskies were led by Hojnacki's 26 points.

The Oilers will be back in action again on Saturday when they host Northern Michigan University at 3:00 p.m.