Oilers Win Home Opener | Beat LSSU
Findlay, Ohio- The University of Findlay women's basketball team played host to the Lake Superior State Lakers in their season opener on Friday, Nov. 11 in Croy Gymnasium. Under the direction of a new coaching staff, the Oilers soundly defeated Lake Superior by a score of 78-70. With the win, Findlay moves to 1-0 on the season while the Lakers fall to 0-1.
Findlay, who was picked seventh in the Great Midwest Preseason Poll, started slow as the Lakers held an 11-2 lead to open the quarter. Findlay fought back, going on a 14-4 run to take the lead by one with one minute remaining in the quarter. From there, the Oilers never trailed again.
The Oilers held a three point lead as they moved into the second quarter but a dominant shooting performance ignited Findlay as they expanded their lead further. They outscored the Lakers 28-16 in the second quarter which included four three-pointers by Rachel Cooke to put the Oilers up by 13 going into halftime.
Findlay would outscore the Lakers in the third quarter but Lake Superior tried to battle back in the fourth quarter but came up short as the Oilers could not be caught.
On the night, the Oilers connected on 27-of-57 (.474) from the floor including 8-of-20 (.400) from deep. Lake Superior hit 23-of-56 (.411) from the field and 9-of-24 (.375) from three-point range. Findlay held a 36-34 advantage on the glass and dominated under the basket, scoring 34 points in the paint. The most apparent advantage for Findlay came off the bench as they scored 47 points to Lake Superior's 15.
Four players for Findlay scored in double-figures.
Leading the Oilers was senior Rachel Cooke. Cooke, who averaged just 2.2 points per game last season, poured in a career-high 15 points on 5-7 shooting including 5-6 from three-point range. She also grabbed four rebounds and added two assists.
Junior Kate Ellis played a good game, as well, scoring 14 points and corralling a team-high six rebounds. Senior Lauren Hapgood also reached double-figures, scoring 11 points on 3-6 from deep.
Senior Serena Sammarone led Findlay in assists recording five on the night. Assisting her was fellow senior Amber Schweiger who added three assists. Schweiger also added three steals on the night.
Findlay's final ten-point scorer was sophomore Chloe Callahan who had an even ten points on 4-9 shooting. Callahan had three boards, as well.
The Oilers win tonight, marks the first win for the new coaching staff. Head coach Michele Durand, who piled up 333 wins with Ohio Northern University, notched her first win at the helm of the University of Findlay. Former standout for the Oilers and now assistant coach, Haley Horstman also recorded her first win with the Orange and Black.
Findlay will be back in action tomorrow as they take on Saginaw Valley State at 3pm in Croy Gymnasium.