Oilers Snap 3-Game Skid with 76-72 Win
The University of Findlay men's basketball team snapped a three-game losing streak with a 76-72 win over Wheeling Jesuit University on Dec. 16 in Croy Gymnasium. The victory gives the Oilers a 3-4 record on the season.
The Oilers had a 15-point lead midway through the second half, but the Cardinals rallied to cut the lead to one at 67-66 with only 3:16 to play. The two teams then traded a few baskets before senior forward Jake Heagen hit a big jumper from the top of the key late in the shot clock to give the Oilers a 73-70 advantage with 1:01 showing on the clock.
Leading by three, Heagen toed the free throw line and made two freebies to give Findlay a 75-70 lead with only 20 seconds to go. After a layup by the Cardinals, junior guard Dylan Kaufman made 1-of-2 shot attempts from the free throw line to cap the scoring.
The Oilers shot 54.2 percent (26-of-48) from the floor in the win while the Cardinals converted 44.8 percent (26-of-58) of their shot attempts. The Oilers also held a 35-28 advantage on the boards and received 21 points off their bench.
Heagen led the way with 19 points, five rebounds and three assists. He made 7-of-12 attempts form the field and also added a block in 33 minutes of action.
Kaufman scored 16 points to go along with six rebounds while sophomore forward Tyler Stern-Tucker came off the bench to provide 11 points and four boards in only 16 minutes of work.
Junior forward John Staley and freshman guard Elijah Kahlig nearly reached double figures with eight points apiece while freshman forward Taren Sullivan provided six points, four rebounds and three assists off the pine.
Tim Goff and Eric Siefert both had 17 points to lead Wheeling Jesuit.
The Oilers will be back for another home game on Friday when they host St. Andrews University. The game is scheduled to tip at 6 p.m. in Croy Gymnasium.