Crestview Hills, Ky. - The University of Findlay men's basketball team, ranked no. 13 in the country in the latest National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), rallied in the second half to take down the Thomas More University Saints on Thursday, Jan. 9 by a score of 69-58. With that road victory, the Oilers improve to 13-1 overall and remain perfect in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) at 6-0. The Saints fall to 10-4 (5-2) with the loss. 

Findlay, which has now won nine straight games, struggled to make shots in the first half, shooting just 10-of-33 (30%) including just 3-of-15 (20%) in the first 20 minutes. On the flip side, TMU made 45% from the floor in the opening frame and had opened up a seven-point lead at the half, leading the Oilers 31-24.

That opening half was the lowest scoring half of the season for Findlay, which entered the game second in the G-MAC in scoring at more than 90 points per game. The second half was much different.

A three-pointer by senior Josh Thorbahn five minutes into the second half tied the game at 38 and, four minutes later, a layup from freshman Steele Meister gave UF at 42-40 lead, its' first advantage since early in the first half.

It was not until just under eight minutes to play that the games most important stretch would take place. Tied at 46-46, Findlay, playing without its' leading scorer in sophomore Will Aljancic, would go on a 13-0 run. In that stretch the Oilers made a pair of triples and hit 5-of-6 from the free throw line.

Findlay had gained control and went on to secure an 11-point victory.

In the end, the Oilers shot 24-of-64 (38%) from the floor including 7-of-23 (30%) from deep while committing just four turnovers. Its' pressure would cause Thomas More to make 11 turnovers, off of which the Oilers scored 16 points.

Junior Jagger Landers was the leader on Thursday night, scoring 19 points and grabbing eight rebounds, both of which were a team-high. Freshman Ian Ioppolo scored 12 points and had five rebounds while sophomore Jake Bishop chipped in with nine points and five rebounds.

The nationally-ranked Oilers return to Croy on Saturday, Jan. 11 for a date with the Northwood University Timberwolves. That contest will tip off at 3 pm.