Findlay, Ohio – The University of Findlay men's basketball team suffered an 80-67 defeat at the hands of the Lake Erie College Storm on Thursday, Jan. 4 in Croy Gymnasium. With that loss the Oilers fall to 4-8 on the year and 1-3 in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) while the Storm improve to 4-9 overall with a 2-3 record in the conference.
The game began slowly with neither team scoring for the first two-and-a-half minutes of action. Findlay did get on the board first on a layup by senior Nathan Bruns.
However, over the next 10:15 of the game, Lake Erie would go on a 33-8 run during which they made 10-of-14 from the floor including eight triples and a five-of-five effort from the free-throw line. That run put the Storm in command and had the Oilers searching for a response the remainder of the contest.
Findlay slowly worked its' way back into the game and pulled to within ten points at 65-55 with 5:29 to play, but Lake Erie answered with a three, not allowing the Oilers to pull into single digits.
Lake Erie's shot making was a big factor Thursday's contest as the Storm made 25-of-58 (43%) from the floor including 14-of-28 (50%) from three, setting new team season-highs in both makes and percentage. On the other side, the Oilers struggled to hit, making 26-of-71 (37%) including just 4-of-20 (20%) from deep. The four threes are a season-low for Findlay which has now dropped consecutive games against the Storm for the first time in series history.
Rebounding was also a big factor in the outcome as LEC held a 53-to-34 advantage on the glass.
Senior Nathan Bruns led Findlay in scoring with 17 points. He also grabbed seven rebounds. Sophomore Mason Brandt had ten points and led the team with 11 rebounds, securing his first career double-double.
Senior Cameron Shaw had eight points while freshman Will Aljancic scored seven and grabbed seven rebounds.
The Oilers will be back in action on Saturday, Jan. 6 when they play host to the Northwood Timberwolves in Croy Gymnasium. That game will tip at 3:00 pm.
