Ashland, Ohio- The University of Findlay women's basketball team traveled east to conclude their regular season with a matchup against the #1 Ashland University Eagles. In what was a closely contested match, the Oilers ultimately came up short of a story book upset, falling by a score of 72-67. With the loss, Findlay falls to 14-14 overall and 10-10 in Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) play while Ashland advances to 27-1 overall and 20-0 in conference play.

Facing the top team in the nation, head coach Michele Durand entered the game with three main keys "playing the best defense we have played all year, rebounding the ball, and hope they miss some shots." And that's what they did. 

The first quarter ended in a 21-all tie, as Findlay made 8-of-12 from the field and held Ashland to just 8-of-20. The Eagles finished three points ahead of the Oilers in the second quarter thanks to a fast break layup as the clock expired. 

Findlay was scoreless in the first 2:49 of the second half, allowing Ashland to jump out to a six point lead. The home team held onto that four point lead until a layup by sophomore Alyssa Ziehler put the Oilers back within four heading into the final frame. 

The Oilers stayed with the Eagles throughout the fourth quarter. Ashland held a three point lead with just over 2.5 minutes remaining. Both teams would remain scoreless for the next two minutes but two free throws by freshman MacKenzie Schulz put Findlay within one with fifteen seconds left on the clock. Findlay, forced to foul, sent Ashalnd's all-time leading scorer, Annie Roshak to the line. Knocking down both free throws, Findlay was left needing a three-pointer to tie the game. However, they were unable to connect, resulting in a five-point loss.

On the day, Findlay connected on 24-of-54 (44.4%) from the field including 7-of-18 (38.9%). Meanwhile, they held Ashland to 26-of-65 (40.0%) from the floor with  8-of-29 (27.6%) from beyond the arc. Ashland did win the battle on the glass, out-rebounding the Oilers 40-34. Findlay also struggled from the charity stripe, recording just 12-of-19 (63.2%) while the Eagles converted 12-of-14 (85.7%).
 
Senior Kate Ellis led the way for Findlay recording 16 points on 6-of-15 from the floor. She also grabbed a team-high nine rebounds. Freshman MacKenzie Schulz recorded a career-high 15 points which included 3-of-4 from deep. 

Freshman Taylor Stanley led the team with a career-high five assists. She also recorded three steals while chipping in seven points.

Findlay will now advance to the Great Midwest Women's Basketball Championship. They will face #1 Ashland again on Tuesday, March 5, in the quarter finals. That game will tip off at 5:30pm.