Oilers Open GLIAC Play at GVSU/FSU
The Oilers will open Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) play on the road at Grand Valley State (Dec. 1) and Ferris State (Dec. 4). The Oilers will play the Lakers at 8 p.m. and the Bulldogs at 2 p.m.
Sights and Sounds
Oilers basketball games can be heard on 88.3 FM "WLFC" or on the internet via their web site. You can listen to the broadcast by clicking on the following link:
Live stats will also be available for all contests. A link to retrieve the live stats can be found on the schedule page of the website.
Center Court with Charlie Ernst
Don't forget to tune into 88.3 FM "WLFC" for Center Court with Charlie Ernst. The radio show will be aired on Tuesday evenings during the season from 7-7:30 p.m.
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Series Information
The Oilers hold an 18-11 advantage in the all-time series against Grand Valley State dating back to the 1997-98 campaign when the Lakers came out on top by a score of 81-76.
Findlay defeated Grand Valley State by a score of 82-66 last season in Allendale. The Oilers put up 57 points in the first half of the game and were led by Martyce Kimbrough, who had 29 points on 8-of-14 shooting.
The Oilers hold a 19-9 advantage in the all-time series against Ferris State dating back to the 1962-63 campaign when the Bulldogs were victorious by a score of 79-66.
The Bulldogs claimed two wins over the Oilers last year, winning 72-69 iin Big Rapids during the regular season and 62-61 in Findlay during the first round of the GLIAC Tournament.
Kimbrough paced the Oilers in both games, scoring 18 points in the regular season loss and a career-high 30 points in the loss during the tournament.
Findlay
The Oilers are 3-1 on the season and are coming off of an 86-76 win over Cedarville on Nov. 26 in Croy Gymnasium.
The Oilers have been led by junior guard Martyce Kimbrough and junior forward Taren Sullivan who are both off to great starts this season. Kimbrough is averaging 18.0 points per game and has made 15 three pointers while Sullivan is averaging 17.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per outing.
Grand Valley State
The Lakers are 4-3 on the season and have been led by Luke Ryskamp, who is averaging 13.3 points per game.
Drake Baar (11.0) and Trevin Alexander (10.9) are also scoring in double figures on a nightly basis for Grand Valley State. Alexander is also grabbing a team-high 9.7 rebounds per game.
Ferris State
The Bulldogs are 4-1 on the season and have been led by Zach Hankins, who is averaging 19.4 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game.
Peter Firlik is also off to a good start and is providing 14.6 points per outing while Markese Mayfield (9.4), Mory Diane (9.3) and Quentin Ruff (8.8) are hovering around the double-digit points per game mark.
Bombs Away
Junior guard Martyce Kimbrough has made 15 three pointers for the Oilers this season and ranks second in the GLIAC with 3.8 three pointers made per game. Kimbrough is also shooting 51.7 percent (15-of-29) from long range this year.
Kimbrough made 80 three pointers for the Oilers during the 2015-16 campaign, the sixth-best single-season total in school history.
As a team, the Oilers are shooting 41.1 percent (39-of-95) from three point range, which ranks third in the GLIAC.
Dishing the Rock
The Oilers rank third in the conference with 18.5 assists per game. Junior guard Austin Gardner has led the team and ranks second in the GLIAC with 7.0 assists per game.
Double-Double
Junior forward Taren Sullivan recorded his first career double-double in the Oilers 86-76 win over Cedarville on Nov. 26 in Croy Gymnasium. Sullivan finished the game with 27 points and ten boards, both tying his previous career-highs.
An Elite Program
The Oilers have one of the best winning percentages in NCAA Division II competition since the year 2000, having won 394 games and lost only 99 for an overall winning percentage of .799. During that timeframe, the Oilers reached the Elite 8 in 2005, appeared in the Sweet 16 in 2008 and won the NCAA Division II National Championship in 2009 with a perfect 36-0 record.
A History of League Excellence
The Oilers have had a total of 25 first team all-conference performers since joining the GLIAC during the 1997-98 campaign. Additionally, 14 more players have earned second team all-conference accolades.
Findlay has also been fortunate enough to have three players who were named the GLIAC Player of the Year. Greg Kahlig (2014), Josh Bostic (2009) and Dustin Pfeifer (2006) all earned the award during their senior seasons with the Oilers. Pfeifer was also tabbed the GLIAC Freshman of the Year in 2003 while Marcus Parker earned the honor for Findlay in 2007.
Former head coach Ron Niekamp was recognized as the GLIAC Coach of the Year five times during his career. He earned the award in 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2009. His five coach of the year awards are tied for the most in league history.
The Oilers, who have buiit a stong program based on defense, have also had 20 players earn a spot on the GLIAC all-defensive team.
Helpful Links
NCAA
NCAA Division II Stats
National Association of Basketball Coaches
GLIAC
NCAA Division II Basketball