Panthers Beat #11 Oilers at Buzzer
The University of Findlay men's basketball team suffered a 68-66 last second loss at the hands of Ohio Dominican University on March 2 in the semifinals of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) Tournament in Croy Gymnasium. The loss gives the 11th-ranked Oilers a 26-4 record on the season.
The Oilers held a 64-60 lead with 58 seconds remaining and Ohio Dominican decided to foul, sending senior guard Austin Gardner to the line for free throws. Gardner made the first to put the Oilers up five, but missed the second. Senior guard Elijah Kahlig dove for the loose ball on the rebound and kicked it out so the Oilers could run more time off the clock. The Panthers were forced to foul again and this time they sent senior guard Martyce Kimbrough to the line, but he missed his first attempt.
Leading 65-60 with only 30 seconds remaining, Ohio Dominican's Hasan Varence drained a three pointer to cut the Oilers lead to two. Kahlig was then fouled, but made only 1-of-2 attempts from the line. Ohio Dominican's Ronnie Williams then drained a long three pointer from the wing to tie the game with only 15 seconds remaining.
The Oilers had an opportunity at having the last shot of regulation, but a turnover by Gardner on a pass attempt to senior forward Taren Sullivan led to a Michael Scott breakaway layup to give the Panthers a win at the buzzer.
Findlay shot 42.1 percent (24-of-57) from the floor and made only 5-of-20 (25%) attempts from three point range. They were also out-rebounded by a 40-34 margin in the contest.
Kimbrough paced the Oilers with 13 points while Sullivan had 12 points, eight rebounds and four assists.
Sophomore forward Aaron Overhiser added 11 points and junior forward Alex White had ten points, five rebounds and four steals.
The Panthers were led by Sam Hickey's 21 points and six rebounds off the bench.