Oilers Win 2OT Thriller Over Ashland

The University of Findlay women's basketball team won a double overtime thriller 80-77 against Ashland University on Wednesday, January 5 in Croy Gymnasium. The victory gives the Oilers an 8-3 record on the season with a 4-1 mark in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC).

Down by two points at 62-60 with 44 seconds remaining in regulation, junior guard Clare Aubry hit a tough jumper in the lane to tie the game with only 15 ticks left. Ashland's Jena Stutzman then came up with a jumper of her own to give the Eagles a 64-62 advantage with only five seconds to play, but junior forward Kaitlyn Nelson beat everyone down the floor for a lay-up to force overtime.

Both teams struggled to put the ball in the hoop during the first extra session as the Eagles got a bucket from Daiva Gerbec and the Oilers scored on a lay-up by Nelson.

Tied at 66-66 as the teams headed into the second overtime period, Gerbec put Ashland in front at the 4:10 mark with a lay-up before Nelson tied the game at 68-68 with 3:41 remaining. Freshman guard Saira House then gave the Oilers a 70-68 lead with a lay-up but Ashland's Rachel Poorman quickly answered, tying the game at 70-70 with 2:24 showing on the clock.

A basket by Gerbec gave Ashland a 72-70 lead, but junior guard Laura Bardall hit a step-back three pointer to put the Oilers ahead 73-72 with 1:28 remaining. After a lay-up by Stutzman, Bardall connected on another triple to give the Oilers the lead for good.

Aubry then hit four free throws down the stretch to give the Oilers a three point win at 80-77.

Nelson had a tremendous game for Findlay as she racked up career-highs in points (24), rebounds (17), blocks (7) and steals (4). She also hit a career-high 11-of-15 shots in the win.

Aubry finished the game with 21 points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals while Bardall and House contributed ten points apiece.

Bardall also added five rebounds and five assists while House racked up six assists, five rebounds and a pair of steals.

The Oilers shot 40 percent (32-of-80) from the field and hit 9-of-35 (25.7%) attempts from behind the three point line. The 35 attempts set a new school record.

The Eagles hit 29-of-70 (41.4%) shots from the field and were led by Gerbec's 28 points and 16 rebounds.

The Oilers will be back in action again on Saturday when they travel to Detroit, Michigan to face Wayne State University at 3 pm.