Oilers Win Overtime Nailbiter vs. Kentucky Wesleyan
Findlay, Ohio – The University of Findlay women's basketball team welcomed the Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers to Croy on Saturday, Dec. 19 and came away with a thrilling 77-72, overtime win to improve to 3-2 on the season. The Panthers, which lost just three games last season, dropped their second straight contest and fall to 1-2 on the year.
Neither team could make headway as the scored remained within three until 6:22 left in the first half when KWC took a 25-20 lead. That eventually led to a seven point lead at the half for the Panthers at 36-29.
In the first half, Kentucky Wesleyan chucked up 25 shots from beyond the arc and shot just 37%, but 19 first-half Findlay turnovers led to an increase in possessions for the Panthers.
The Oilers climbed their way back into the game to tie the contest at 39-39 but would not take a lead until 47-44 with 29 seconds left in the third quarter.
In a game that featured 14 ties and four lead changes, it was only fitting that the game would come down to the wire. With five seconds left in the game, the Oilers inbounded to Sydney kin who took a fade away jumper. That shot missed but was tipped in as the horn sounded by junior Bridget Landin, tying the game at 67. After confirming the shot with replay, the game went to overtime.
In overtime, the game was tied at 69-69 until 2:00 remained, Findlay then went on an 8-3 run. Sealing the victory was Kin, who had a massive game for the Oilers, when she drilled a three from the top of the key with 22 seconds remaining, increasing the Findlay lead to six. That lead stood up as the Oilers picked up their first win against the Panthers since February of 2019.
The Oilers shot 45.5% (30-of-66) from the floor while holding the Panthers to just 36.6% (26-of-71). KWC took 44 shots from deep, making just 11.
Findlay outrebounded the Panthers 43-to-36 and dominated in the paint, scoring 46 points from in close to just 26 for the team from Owensboro, Ky.
Findlay was led by standout Sydney Kin who scored a season-high 26 points on 8-of-15 shooting including 9-of-11 from the charity stripe. Kin also grabbed a season-best 13 rebounds in the game including five offensive boards.
Junior Bridget Landin, whose shot at the end of regulation sent the game to overtime, finished with 19 points and nine rebounds. She also had four assists and had a pair of steals.
Sophomore Rachel Cooke also reached double figures as she scored ten points that included a pair of three pointers made in the first quarter.
Senior Allison Utterback scored seven points while junior Paige Bellman and sophomore Serena Sammarone each scored four. Sammarone led Findlay with five assists.
Findlay will be back on the court on Dec. 31 when they will welcome Ohio Valley University to Croy. That game will tip off at 1:00 pm.