#14 Oilers Grind Out 76-74 Win Over Storm
The 14th-ranked University of Findlay men's basketball team survived in a nail-biter against Lake Erie College, winning 76-74 on Dec. 15 in the Croy Physical Education Center. The win gives the Oilers a 9-1 record on the season with a 4-1 mark in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC).
In a game that featured 11 ties and eight lead changes, the Oilers needed every ounce of energy to grind out a victory. Tied at 67-67 with just over three minutes to play, sophomore forward Anthony Masterlasco buried a long three pointer to give Findlay a 70-67 advantage. Both teams would go back and forth the rest of the way however.
With 47 seconds remaining, senior forward Alex White converted a three point play to give Findlay a 75-71 lead. The Storm then raced back down the court and received a three pointer from Gabe Kynard to cut the lead to one at 75-74. Sophomore guard Tommy Schmock then split a pair of free throws with only three seconds remaining and a three pointer by the Storm grazed off the rim at the buzzer to give the Oilers the victory.
Findlay shot 45.1 percent (23-of-51) from the floor and held the Storm to a 37.5 percent (27-of-72) shooting clip. The Storm held a big advantage on the glass, outrebounding the Oilers by a 45-33 margin. 18 of Lake Erie's rebounds came on the offensive glass which led to a 21-6 advantage in second choice points.
Senior guard Trey Smith paced the Oilers with a career-high 25 points on 5-of-9 shooting. Smith hit 11-of-12 attempts from the charity stripe and buried 4-of-7 tries from three point range.
Masterlasco finished with a season-high 20 points on 8-of-11 shooting while junior forward Aaron Overhiser reached double figures with 11 points to go along with six boards.
White finished the game with nine points and nine rebounds while also adding three blocked shots.
Harrison Riggs paced the Storm with 19 points.
The Oilers will be back in action again tomorrow when they travel up I-75 to face Bowling Green State University in an exhibition game. The contest is scheduled to tip at 4pm.