Findlay, Ohio – The University of Findlay men's basketball team, ranked no. 17 in the country, kickstarted 2025 with a commanding 79-59 home victory of the Tiffin University Dragons on Thursday, Jan. 2. With that win, the Oilers improve to a league-best 11-1 overall with a 4-0 mark in Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) play while Tiffin continues to struggle, falling to 2-9 on the year with an 0-3 record in the G-MAC.

The last time these two teams met in Croy, the game was an instant classic. Back in February of 2024, Findlay trailed by 18 at halftime before clawing back and sending the game to overtime. UF went on to win by a point at 79-78 in double overtime.

Thursday's game was not nearly as dramatic.

Tied at 21-21 midway through the first half, the home team built some momentum, closing the first 20-minute stretch with a 16-2 run that saw the Dragons turn the ball over five times. That run put UF firmly in control and the Oilers, which lead the G-MAC in margin of victory, did not look back, cruising to a 20-point win.

Findlay shot 33-of-72 (46%) from the floor including 5-of-21 (24%) from three-point range while Tiffin managed 22-of-50 (44%) from the field, but were held to 0-8 from beyond the arc. The Oilers also dominated on the boards, grabbing 42 rebounds to just 29 for TU. Of those 42 boards, 16 came on the offensive glass.

Four players scored 12 points for Findlay as sophomore Will Aljancic, junior Jagger Landers, sophomore Anthony Johnson, and sophomore Mason Brandt all scored a dozen. Aljancic led the way with seven rebounds. Landers added four rebounds and a team-high three assists. Freshman Ian Ioppolo chipped in with eight points and had two rebounds.

The Oilers will be back on the court on Saturday, Jan. 4 at Cedarville University. That game will tip off at 3 pm.