Hot Shooting Oilers Take Down Pioneers 96-82
Postgame with Dan Shardo (88.3 WLFC – Tim Montgomery)
Video Replay (Great Midwest Digital Network – Produced by PulseTV)
Findlay, Ohio – The University of Findlay men's basketball team put together one of its' best performances of the season on Saturday, Jan. 21, defeating the Malone Pioneers by a score of 96-82 in front of more than 1,000 fans inside Niekamp Arena. With the victory, the Oilers improve to 11-7 on the season with a 6-4 record in Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) play while the Pioneers fall to 11-6 overall and 6-5 in the conference.
Malone look solid as the game began, taking a 19-11 lead less than six minutes into the game. They continued to keep Findlay at arm's length and held a 30-24 lead with just inside of eight minutes to go in the first half.
The Oilers went on a quick 8-0 run to take their first lead since the first basket of the game. Over the final five minutes of the first half, Findlay outscored the Pioneers 19-7 to take a 51-39 lead into the break.
The lead continued to increase, building an eventual 21-point advantage with just four minutes left. Both teams traded baskets down the stretch and it was the Oilers who came away with the victory.
Findlay shot the ball well as they made a season-high 60% (33-of-55) from the floor including 12-of-27 (44.4%) from beyond the arc. The Oilers' aggression turned into points at the free-throw line, as well, as Findlay took a season-high 24 free-throw attempts, cashing in on 18 of them.
Senior Nathan Bruns was the driving force behind Findlay's win on Saturday as he used a big second half to propel his squad to victory. The Chickasaw, Ohio native scored four points in the first half, but poured in 19 in the second to finish with 23 behind an incredible 10-for-12 from the floor. He also led the way with eight rebounds and three steals, both team-highs.
Also playing a pivotal role in the win was senior Deven Stover who scored 16 points in 5-of-6 shooting. He grabbed five rebounds, had two assists, and two blocked shots. Fellow senior Joey Edmonds scored 13 points and had four assists while senior Eisley Swaine also had four assists to go along with five points.
Findlay's bench was a big factor as the Orange and Black got 33 points from its' reserves. Freshmen Khalil Luster and Jagger Landers each scored ten points to lead the backup squad. Landers had four rebounds, as well.
Junior Cameron Shaw chipped in eight points on the strength of a pair of made triples.
The Oilers are on the road Thursday, Jan. 26 at Northwood University before returning home again in seven days for a matchup against Ohio Dominican in Croy Gymnasium on Jan. 28.