Fouls Haunt Findlay in Overtime Loss at ODU
Columbus, Ohio – The University of Findlay women's basketball team lost a heartbreaker on Saturday, Jan. 29 in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio Dominican outscored the Oilers by seven in the fourth quarter, sending the game to overtime where Findlay ultimately fell short by a 75-69 final. The loss drops the Oilers to 6-11 on the season with a 4-7 mark in Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) play while the Panthers, which had lost five straight heading into Saturday, improve to 4-16 overall and 4-10 in conference action.
Saturday's loss came despite the Oilers having the lead for more than 39 minutes of game time while the Panthers were in front for just 31 seconds. Just 15 seconds into the second quarter, in fact, Findlay looked to be cruising as they had built an 11-point lead, what would end up being their largest advantage of the game.
ODU trailed by just three at the half and faced a seven-point hurdle with just ten minutes remaining. The Panthers then got hot, shoot 67% from the floor in the fourth quarter, including 50% from beyond the arc, to claw their way back, tying the game at 63 at the end of regulation.
In overtime, fouls proved costly for the Oilers as ODU was sent to the charity stripe for eight attempts, all eight of which were made. That lead to a six-point win for the home team as Findlay managed just six points in the extra period.
Findlay, which committed 21 fouls in the game, shot 45% (29-of-64) from the floor and hit just 21% (3-of-14) from deep. Rebounding was nearly even as ODU held a slight 35-32 advantage on the glass. The big different in the game came at the free throw line where the Panthers hit 18-of-21 while Findlay hit on 8-of-11.
Findlay was led by senior Sydney Kin who scored 20 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Senior Bridget Landin picked up a double-double, scoring 15 points and collecting ten boards. She also had four assists to round out an impressive stat line.
ODU's Gabby Stare was the standout for the Panthers as she scored 26 points and had eight rebounds.
The Oilers are back in action on Monday, Jan. 31 with a trip to Cedarville to take on the Yellow Jackets in a game that was postponed from last Thursday. Monday's game will tip off at 5:30 pm.