Caiola's Shot Sends Oilers to Championship Game
The University of Findlay men's basketball team advanced to the championship game of the 2012 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Tournament with a 63-61 win over Wayne State University on Saturday, March 3 in Hillsdale, Mich. The victory gives the Oilers a 22-6 record on the season as they get set to battle Hillsdale College for their sixth GLIAC Tournament crown.
The Oilers held a 31-30 advantage at the break and built a nine-point lead in the second half before the Warriors stormed back to make it a possession- by-possession game.
The Oilers went up two points at 61-59 on a couple of free throws from sophomore forward Greg Kahlig at the 1:50 mark. The Warriors then tied the game up at 61-61 when Ian Larking threw down a dunk off of an offensive rebound with only 29 ticks remaining.
Needing a bucket, senior guard Kyle Caiola created some separation on a dribble drive and hit a tough step back jumper with only three seconds left to play. Wayne State's Bryan Coleman then launched a three pointer that bounced off the rim as the buzzer sounded, sending the Oilers to the championship game.
Findlay shot 43.1 percent (22-of-51) from the floor and did not miss a free throw attempt, hitting all 14 of their shots from the charity stripe.
The Warriors meanwhile hit 47.1 percent (24-of-51) of their shots in the game and held a 36-23 advantage on the boards.
Junior forward Brad Piehl led the team with 12 points while freshman forward Jake Heagen added 11.
Caiola finished with eight points and four assists while Kahlig and senior forward Rob Marsden each contributed eight points as well in the win.
The Oilers will play the Chargers tomorrow in the championship game at 2 p.m.