Big Lead Slips Late as Oilers Lose in Owensboro
Owensboro, Ky. – Back in action for the first time in 11 days, the University of Women's went south to take on Kentucky Wesleyan on Thursday, January 21. Despite building a sizeable lead late in the third quarter, the Oilers snatched defeat from the jaws of victory, ultimately losing the game 79-67 to fall back to .500 on the year at 5-5. With the win, the Panthers improve to 7-3.
The Oilers outscored the Panthers 26-13 in the second quarter to take control of the game on the road. In that quarter, Findlay shot 53% from the floor and held KWC to just 25%, eventually leading to a 40-28 halftime lead for the Orange and Black.
A solid lead quickly turned into a commanding lead as the Oilers outscored KWC 19-10 through the first six minutes of the third quarter, leading by 21 with 3:45 remaining in that frame. Through the remainder of the quarter, the Panthers chipped away as they went on a 10-1 run to close the third period and trailed by just 12 with ten minutes left to play.
It took just three minutes and ten seconds for KWC to tie the game at 64-64 and from then on, the home team controlled the game. By the time the final horn sounded, the Panthers had outscored Findlay 31-7 in the fourth quarter and had secured a 12-point win despite trailing by double-digits for much of the contest.
Findlay shot 42.6% (23-of-54) from the floor while the Panthers hit just 35.8% (29-of-81). The Oilers held a big advantage at the free-throw line, making 16 free throws to just five for the Panthers.
Rebounds were fairly even with the Panthers holding a slight edge at 40-39, but the difference in the game was turnovers. Findlay coughed it up 24 times in the game which led to 32 points for the Panthers. Meanwhile the Oilers forced just 14 turnovers which led to 18 points.
Findlay standout junior Sydney Kin continued to impress as she collected yet another double-double, scoring 26 points and grabbing 13 rebounds for the Oilers in a losing effort. Kin made 8-of-16 from the floor and made 10-of-11 from the charity stripe.
Senior Allison Utterback scored a career-high 13 points in a starting role for the Oilers. She hit 2-of-7 from deep and 5-of-13 from the floor overall.
Junior Bridget Landin scored 11 points and had seven rebounds while junior Amber Schweiger scored nine points, had six rebounds, and dished out six assists. Schweiger also led the team with three steals.
KWC had five players score in double figures and were led by Tahlia Walton who poured in 14 points. Cali Nolot was the hero as she scored 13 points, 11 of which came in the fourth quarter, helping lead the Panthers to a comeback win.
The Oilers will be back in action on Saturday, Jan. 23 when they take on the Trevecca Nazarene Trojans in Nashville, Tenn.