Dragons Nip Oilers in Tight Contest
The University of Findlay women's basketball team traveled to Tiffin University on Feb. 7 and ended up on the short end of a tightly contested game that saw the Dragons prevail by a 68-64 final. The loss puts the Oilers record at 11-10 overall and 7-10 in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) play.
Findlay's largest lead came with 1:18 to play in the first half when a three-pointer by freshman guard Emily Molnar put the visiting team ahead 26-17. This momentum would carry into the half as the Oilers took a 28-21 lead into the locker room, a far cry from the 52 halftime points Findlay amassed the last time these two teams met in the middle of January.
Coming out of the break, Tiffin quickly closed the gap and tied the game at 28-28 just two and a half minutes into the second half. From that point on, the teams went neck-and-neck as there were four ties and six lead changes in just the second half.
Sophomore guard Karli Bonar nailed a three with 41 seconds to play that cut the Dragons lead to just one, 65-64, but a pair of free throws by Tiffin's Kaylee Patton, who scored 15 for the home team, and a missed three by the Oilers took both teams to the final horn with the Dragons earning the victory.
The last time the teams met, Findlay shot a blistering 62% from the field and 52% from behind the three point line. Today was a different story as the Black and Orange could only muster 35% from the field (23-66) including just 28% from three (7-25).
Hitting the glass was also a major factor in the outcome as the Oilers were outrebounded 49-30, allowing 13 second chance points.
Leading the way for Findlay was guard Ciara Geiger. The senior dropped in 27 points including a trio of three pointers. The point total tied her for her career high. Geiger also grabbed five rebounds, collected three steals, and had a pair of blocks in the contest.
Freshman guard Haley Horstman shot 5-7 from the field and scored 12 points while grabbing six rebounds.
Also scoring in double figures was junior Margaret Wuebker who got on the board for 10 points. The forward also grabbed seven rebounds.
The Oilers will be back in action as they host Ashland University on February 12 in a game slated to begin at 5:30pm.