Second Half Comeback Leads to 66-64 Victory at Northwood
Box Score
Postgame Interview with Charlie Ernst (Tim Montgomery)
Midland, Mich. – The University of Findlay men's basketball team picked up a road victory on Thursday, Jan. 26, defeating the Northwood University Timberwolves by a score of 66-64. That win gives the Oilers a 12-7 record on the year with a 7-4 mark in Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) play while Northwood's struggles continue as they fall to 2-18 overall and 2-10 in the league.
Through one half of play, Findlay was in trouble. The Orange and Black scored just 24 points in the opening 20 minutes, their lowest point-total in any half since Feb. 25 of last season. Just 9-of-32 shots fell including 2-of-8 from deep while Northwood hit 13-of-29 and 4-of-9 from three, leading to a 33-24 advantage for the home team with 20 minutes to play.
Findlay opened the second half on a 20-4 run over the first nine minutes of play to take back control of the game at 44-37.
Northwood did not go away quietly, however, battling back to take a lead at 60-59 and again at 62-61. However, a midrange jumper by senior Joey Edmonds and a pair of free-throws by Nathan Bruns put the Oilers ahead by three with 17 seconds left.
The Timberwolves did have a chance late in the game as, trailing by two, standout Savon Wykle took a tough shot from about eight feet that bounced off the rim, ending the game in favor of the Oilers.
For the final 20 minutes of play, Findlay's game plan shifted to inside the arc as the team attempted just five triples in the second half, knowing that tonight would not be their best night from deep. Just four threes fell, the lowest total of the season. However, making 21-of-47 from inside the arc helped, as well as making 12-of-15 free throws.
Joey Edmonds led the way for Findlay, scoring 16 points, 12 of which came in the second half. He was the only player to score in double-figures for the Oilers as he made 7-of-13 from the floor.
Senior Deven Stover scored nine points while senior Nathan Bruns and junior Andrew Owens each contributed eight points. Bruns had three rebounds and three assists while Owens had three rebounds, as well.
Freshman Max Roth also scored eight points. He snagged five boards and added an assist and a steal to his line.
Freshman Khalil Luster had a team-high four assists for the Oilers and also scored seven points.
The Oilers return home on Saturday, Jan. 28 for a date with the Ohio Dominican Panthers. That game will tip off at 3:00 pm in Croy Gymnasium.