Late Game Drama Sees Findlay Falter at Malone
Canton, Ohio – The University of Findlay men's basketball team suffered a Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) defeat on Saturday, Dec. 3 on the road against the Malone Pioneers. With the 80-77 loss, the Oilers fall to 4-3 overall with a 1-1 mark in the G-MAC while Malone improves to 4-1 on the season with a 1-0 mark in the conference.
Five minutes into the game, Findlay had jumped out to a 13-6 lead thanks to triples by senior Nathan Bruns, junior Andrew Owens, and senior Joey Edmonds. But, over the next seven minutes the Pioneers outscored the Oilers 22-10 to take a 28-23 lead.
The Orange and Black rallied back, however, and with three minutes to play in the half, freshman Max Roth hit a triple to give the Oilers a 40-35 advantage. A 13-2 run by Malone to close the half gave the home team a six-point lead through 20 minutes.
Findlay did fight back and take the lead less than five minutes into the second half and by the ten minute mark, held a 64-56 lead. Malone rallied yet again and, with 11 seconds to play, held a 78-77 lead.
Max Roth picked up a steal on an inbounds pass and a timeout by the Oilers gave Findlay a chance to pick up the win with nine seconds on the clock. The inbounds pass by senior Eisley Swaine was stolen and two free-throws made the score 80-77. A three-point try at the buzzer was no good as Findlay suffered the defeat.
Bruns was the Oilers' leading scorer as he poured in 22 points, his third 20-point game this season. He made 8-of-11 shots from the floor including making a career-high four tries from three-point range. Had had two rebounds and added five assists and two steals.
Coming off the bench and scoring 15 points was freshman Jagger Landers while starters Andrew Owens and Max Roth scored 13 and 12 points, respectively to round out the Oilers double-figure scorers. Landers had four rebounds and two steals while Owens had four rebounds and four assists. Roth led the Oilers with seven rebounds.
Findlay is back in action at home this Tuesday, Dec. 6 with a game against Saginaw Valley State. That contest will tip off at 7:00 pm.