Oilers Hang Tough with Division I Cincinnati in Exhibition
Cincinnati, OH – The University of Findlay women's basketball team opened up their 2021 season on Wednesday, Nov. 3 with an exhibition at the University of Cincinnati, an NCAA Division I opponent that competes in the American Athletic Conference (AAC). The Oilers played UC tough, but ultimately fell by a score of 77-60 with only eight players participating due to COVID protocols. The Bearcats were selected sixth out of 11 teams in their AAC Preseason Coaches Poll and went 22-10 in 2019-20, the last full regular season of competition.
Just over four minutes into the contest, Findlay found themselves in the lead by a score of 9-8. Of those first nine points for the Oilers, seven were scored by first team all-Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) performer last season, senior Sydney Kin. The Bearcats flexed their muscle to end the quarter, however, outscoring Findlay 19-4 over the next 5:47 to take a 27-13 lead after ten minutes.
By halftime, UC's lead had ballooned to 51-27, but Findlay did not let the game get out of hand, outscoring their Division I opponent 33-26 in the second half.
The Oilers shot 19-of-57 (.333) from the floor and hit just 3-of-16 (.188) from three-point range. Cincinnati shot well enough to win, making 28-of-69 (.406) from the field including 11-of-28 (.393) from beyond the arc. Where Findlay shine was on the glass and at the free throw line.
The Oilers earned 26 free-throw attempts in the contest, making 19, while the Bearcats managed just 15 attempts, making ten.
Despite being matched up against Division I size and length, Findlay and Cincinnati split the rebound at 41 apiece. The Oilers also outscored UC in the paint, 30-to-28. One area that really hurt the Oilers were the team's 24 turnovers that turned into 36 points.
Sydney Kin was the leading scorer for the Oilers, dropping 20 points on 7-of-12 from the floor. She also grabbed nine rebounds, seven of which came in the second half.
Senior Bridget Landin did what she does best, collecting double-doubles. Landin finished with 12 points and ten rebounds in the game. Senior Paige Bellman chipped in nine points, seven of which came at the charity stripe, and grabbed five rebounds. Bellman also tied for the team lead with three assists.
Junior Serena Sammarone scored seven points and had three assists while junior Lauren Hapgood had six points and chipped in three rebounds.
Findlay returns home for their only exhibition in Croy this Friday, Nov. 5 when they will take on Division III Heidelberg. That contest will start at 5:30 pm.