Oilers Win 81-57 over Illinois-Springfield
The University of Findlay men's basketball team opened their season with an 81-57 win over the University of Illinois-Springfield on Nov. 13 in Croy Gymnasium.
The Oilers jumped out to a 16-5 lead in the first five minutes of the game and rode that momentum the rest of the half, eventually taking a 45-28 lead at the break. The Oilers then cruised through the second half of the game for their first win of the season.
Findlay shot 44.8 percent (30-of-67) from the floor and canned 9-of-30 (30%) three point tries. They also held a 48-29 advantage on the boards and had a 16-0 advantage in fast break points during the contest.
Junior forward Taren Sullivan paced the Oilers with 16 points and eight rebounds while junior guard Martyce Kimbrough had 14 points, two rebounds and two assists.
Senior guard Ricardo Smith reached double figures with 13 points and also contributed five rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block.
Junior guard Austin Gardner stuffed the stat sheet with eight points, a career-high nine assists, five rebounds and three steals while sophomore forward Alex White recorded seven points and seven boards.
Sophomore forward Katwan Singleton and junior guard Elijah Kahlig led the bench with seven and six points, respectively.
The Prairie Stars, who shot 37.9 percent (22-of-58) from the field, were led by Paxton Harmon and Eddie Longmeyer, who each had 11 points.
The Oilers will now have a short time to prepare for their next game as they face 25th-ranked Fairmont State on Nov. 15 in Fairmont, W. Va. The game is scheduled to tip at 7 p.m.