Oilers Outlast Bulldogs, Win in Overtime
The University of Findlay men's basketball team outlasted Ferris State University in an overtime thriller in Big Rapids, Mich. on Dec. 4, winning 81-77. The win gives the Oilers a 4-2 record on the season and evens their record at 1-1 in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) play.
Down by five points at 65-60 with just under four minutes to play, junior forward Taren Sullivan buried a three to cut the lead to two. Sullivan then buried another three pointer to give Findlay a 66-65 advantage with 2:10 to play in regulation.
The Bulldogs tied the game with 1:04 to play on a free throw and then took a 68-66 lead on a layup with only 15 seconds remaining. Junior guard Martyce Kimbrough then connected on a jumper with only a few ticks to play, sending the game into overtime tied at 68-68.
The Oilers scored the first four points of the overtime period and built a five-point lead with 1:55 to play when Sullivan connected on a jumper. The Bulldogs rallied however, scoring five straight points to tie the game at 76-76 with 50 seconds showing on the clock. Junior guard Austin Gardner was then fouled and had to leave the game due to injury, sending senior guard Ricardo Smith to the line as his replacement. Smith hit 1-of-2 attempts from the charity stripe, giving Findly a 77-76 lead with only 30 seconds to play.
Up by one and needing a stop, sophomore forward Katwan Singleton came up with a steal and was fouled shortly after. Singleton then went to the free throw line and calmly made a pair to give Findlay a 79-76 advantage with only five seconds remaining in overtime. The Oilers then fouled the Bulldogs with 1.5 seconds on the clock. The Bulldogs made their first attempt from the line and intentionally missed their second attempt, which was grabbed by Singleton. Sophomore forward Alex White was fouled during the play and made both of his free throws to give Findlay the victory.
Sullivan led the way as he tied his career-high with 27 points. He hit 11-of-17 shooting attempts and also added seven rebounds, three assists and a pair of steals.
Kimbrough had 12 points, four assists and three rebounds while White had 11 points and six boards.
Senior forward Tyler Stern-Tucker contributed eight points, six rebounds and three blocks while Smith had seven points and five assists. Gardner only scored four points, but he had six assists, four steals and three rebounds.
Findlay shot 44.9 percent (31-of-69) from the floor and made 8-of-17 (47.1%) attempts from behind the three point line. They also forced 17 turnovers and came away with seven steals in the win.
The Bulldogs were led by Quentin Ruff's game-high 28 points.
The Oilers will return home and prepare to host Northwood University on Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m. in Croy Gymnasium.