basketball
UF Women’s Basketball Highlights
Oiler Basketball victorious over Fairmont St.
By Dylan DeWitt
Email:dewittd@findlay.edu
Twitter: @dd_witt
The stands were once again packed for another Croy classic. The Findlay Oilers Basketball Team faced the Fairmont St. Falcons, and it was a battle to the finish.
The team played back-and-forth basketball against a Fairmont St. team who made it to the 2017 National Championship Game last year. The game went to the final buzzer with a defensive stance by the Oilers, and a free throw to seal the victory after a forty-minute battle filled with momentum and intense emotion.
Coming into the contest, the Oilers have compiled two great victories against nationally ranked teams, Indiana PA., and St. Thomas Aquinas at the Hall of Fame Classic in Evansville, IN. With the team morale eager to play at home, the Oilers were prepared for the Fairmont St. team coming into town. It showed quickly in the first two minutes of the game when the Oilers were executing on both offense and defense with control of the game. The Battle in Croy had quickly begun as you heard the loud cheers from the Findlay fans.
The first half was a battle for momentum with both teams matching equal intensity. After nine minutes through the first half, the game was all tied up at 21-21, and with just over a minute left in the half, the game would still be tied at 44-44.
Neither team was giving much room for either one of their opponents to get too much of a lead. However, Elijah Kahlig would help bring momentum to the Oilers` locker room just before the half concluded as he finished on a 5-0 run with a pair of free throws and a transition three pointer. The Oilers were up 49-44 after the first half.
The second half picked up right where the rest of the game had been. Intense from the first few seconds with players diving after loose balls and playing aggressive defense. However, the scoring had stalled for a short while until a Martyce Kimbrough-three would get the scoring going once more. With nine minutes left in the game, the Oilers had gained a 69-61 lead. However, Fairmont St. would not go without a fight as they went on a run to close the gap to three points making the game 69-66.
The final seconds came down to the wire with Findlay up by one, 83-82 and Fairmont St. having the possession of the ball. Fairmont St. point guard drove to the hole only to lose possession of the ball. However, another player on the court for the Falcons scooped it up, and attempted a shot over Alex White. The shot just missed off the rim, and into the hands of Taren Sullivan it went.
With 1.3 seconds left, Sullivan was sent to the free throw line for a one and one opportunity. He made the first to go up two, and missed the second intentionally as the Falcons did not have any timeouts left. The Oilers were victorious and moved to 3-0 after the victory against a very competitive team in Fairmont St.
It was a total team effort filled with Tommy Schmock and Trey Smith steals, a Matt Ashley block, and some Sullivan slams just to name a few. Whether it was 50/50 balls, or backside rebounding down low, the Oilers were the ones coming away with the ball.
The Oilers picked up their first loss this weekend against Lake Superior State University at the Don Callan Classic in Cedarville, Oh. The team bounced back, however, winning 131-72 over Miami-Hamilton. This puts them at 4-1 for the season.
Moving forward, the Oilers must keep the same intensity, and, according to Taren Sullivan, that is the plan.
“I think the key for us moving forward with such a great start is understanding that we were very hungry for the beginning of the season, but being able to keep that hunger everyday day in practice so we are prepared for every game,” Sullivan stated. “Also making sure we don’t get ahead of ourselves and concentrate only on the next game.”
Oiler basketball is back
By: Olivia Wile
Twitter: o_wile
Email: wileo@findlay.edu
It is officially basketball season at the University of Findlay. After a successful season last year, there has been a lot of anticipation for the Men’s Basketball Team to take the court again.
After winning an exciting scrimmage against the Toledo Rockets, the Oilers kick off their regular schedule a week earlier this year with both depth and strong leadership.
“The biggest difference is that we open our season on Nov. 3, a week earlier than usual,” Head Coach Charlie Ernst said. “We were invited to play in a prestigious event in Evansville, In.”
Ernst explains that each year, the NCAA chooses eight of the best Division II teams in the country to play in the “Hall of Fame Classic.” However, despite being invited to play in the tournament, the team was not allowed to begin practicing any sooner.
Ernst says that the leadership of this year’s senior class will help the team during this tournament and throughout the season.
“We have a great senior class,” Ernst said. “They’re all natural leaders, they lead in their own way.”
Among the seniors this year is Martyce Kimbrough. The Guard from Lima, Oh. is eager for the season to begin as well.
“We had less than two weeks of actual practices,” Kimbrough said. “We have a tough non-conference schedule and everyone is excited to get it going after a big year last year.”
In regards to the new set of players this year, Coach Ernst says they will add to the team right away.
“Well, as a head coach you’re mindful of two things, you need a few guys who can contribute right away and we have that. [But] you need all to develop and continue to get better.”
Kimbrough is also excited about the new talent and the depth of the team as a whole. “I think this is probably one of the deepest teams we’ve had in years.” Kimbrough said. “From the first guy to the last guy, everyone’s important.”
Despite their accomplishments from last year, Coach Ernst says that the team hasn’t been focused on the past, or even the future.
“To be honest, we don’t really talk about long-term goals,” Ernst stated. Instead he says the team focuses on the present. “[We try] to put our best foot forward in every game and get better throughout the season, it’s simply that.”
Kimbrough discusses both the team goals and his own goals for the season. “As long as we practice and put in work everyday, our goals will take care of themselves,” Kimbrough said.
“I want to help us achieve our team goals and do whatever to help us be successful as well. If you can lead well and work hard, that’s the legacy you leave,” he concludes.
For a complete schedule check out http://athletics.findlay.edu/sports/mbkb/2017-18/schedule
Findlay Basketball Beats Toledo
By: Olivia Wile
Twitter: o_wile
Email: wileo@findlay.edu
It is officially basketball season at the University of Findlay. After a successful season last year, there has been a lot of anticipation for the Men’s Basketball Team to take the court again.
The Oilers kick off their schedule a week earlier this year with both depth and strong leadership.
“The biggest difference is that we open our season on Nov. 3, a week earlier than usual,” Head Coach Charlie Ernst said. “We were invited to play in a prestigious event in Evansville, In.”
Ernst explains that each year, the NCAA chooses eight of the best Division II teams in the country to play in the “Hall of Fame Classic.” However, despite being invited to play in the tournament, the team was not allowed to begin practicing any sooner.
Ernst says that the leadership of this year’s senior class will help the team during this tournament and throughout the season.
“We have a great senior class,” Ernst said. “They’re all natural leaders, they lead in their own way.”
Among the seniors this year is Martyce Kimborough. The Guard from Lima, Oh. is eager for the season to begin as well.
“We had less than two weeks of actual practices,” Kimborough said. “We have a tough non-conference schedule and everyone is excited to get it going after a big year last year.”
In regards to the new set of players this year, Coach Ernst says they will add to the team right away.
“Well, as a head coach you’re mindful of two things, you need a few guys who can contribute right away and we have that. [But] you need all to develop and continue to get better.”
Kimborough is also excited about the new talent and the depth of the team as a whole. “I think this is probably one of the deepest teams we’ve had in years.” Kimborough said. “From the first guy to the last guy, everyone’s important.”
Despite their accomplishments from last year, Coach Ernst says that the team hasn’t been focused on the past, or even the future.
“To be honest, we don’t really talk about long-term goals,” Ernst stated. Instead he says the team focuses on the present. “[We try] to put our best foot forward in every game and get better throughout the season, it’s simply that.”
Kimbrough discusses both the team goals and his own goals for the season. “As long as we practice and put in work everyday, our goals will take care of themselves,” Kimbrough said.
“I want to help us achieve our team goals and do whatever to help us be successful as well. If you can lead well and work hard, that’s the legacy you leave,” he concludes.
For a complete schedule check out http://athletics.findlay.edu/sports/mbkb/2017-18/schedule