Findlay Suffers First Loss of Season | Falls to SVSU
Findlay, Ohio- The University of Findlay women's basketball team hosted back-to-back home games to open their season. They played host to the Saginaw Valley State University Cardinals on Saturday, Nov. 12 in Croy Gymnasium. Findlay came up short, falling 68-57. This is the Oilers first loss of the season, moving them to 1-1 on the year while the Cardinals also move to 1-1.
The Oilers started slow as the Cardinals held a 12-2 lead to open the game. A series of runs by both teams left the Oilers down by ten heading into the second quarter. Findlay would outscore Saginaw Valley 17-12 in the second quarter as the Oilers hit .500 from the paint leaving the down by five at 30-25 entering halftime.
Saginaw Valley opened the third quarter with a 16-6 run to take their largest lead of the contest with the Oilers trailing 15 with three minutes remaining in the third quarter.
With the Oilers down ten heading into the fourth quarter, Findlay slowly cut into the Cardinals lead. Findlay trailed by just four with 2 minutes remaining but Saginaw Valley couldn't be caught as they scored seven points in the final 35 seconds.
On the night, the Oilers connected on 20-of-49 (.408) from the floor including 3-of-11 (.273) from deep. Saginaw Valley hit 19-of-47 (.404) from the field and 5-of-20 (.250) from three-point range. Findlay recorded 29 rebounds while Saginaw Valley grabbed 32. The Oilers outscored the Cardinals under the basket, scoring 24 points in the paint. The most apparent advantage for Findlay came off the bench as they scored 37 points to Saginaw Valley's 8.
Senior Serena Sammarone led Findlay with a team-high 12 points and four assists while junior Kate Ellis had 11 points and a team-high eight rebounds.
Sophomore Chloe Callahan chipped in with eight points.
The Cardinals were led by Tori DePerry who recorded 27 points along with Kaitlyn Zarycki who added 19.
The Oilers will be back in action again on Nov. 18 when they begin a slate of road games, starting with Davenport at 6pm.