Findlay, Ohio – The University of Findlay men's basketball team, ranked no. 9 in the country, suffered a 77-70 home defeat at the hands of the Cedarville Yellow Jackets on Saturday, Feb. 1. That loss gives the Oilers an 18-3 (11-2 Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC)) record while the Yellow Jackets improve to 10-9 (5-7 G-MAC).
Offense was at a premium on Saturday for Findlay, which struggled early, scoring just two points in the first four-and-a-half minutes of play. However, the Oilers' second unit sparked a quick 6-0 run that put UF in front for the first time at 8-6.
Later in the half, a three from freshman Steele Meister put the Oilers in front 27-25 for what would be the final lead of the game for the Orange and Black.
Cedarville, which won on the road against Hillsdale on Thursday night, had the answer all afternoon, drilling shot-after-shot to keep the home team, and the home crowd, at bay.
With 3:26 to play in the game, Findlay pulled to within three points on a driving basket from sophomore Anthony Johnson. He was fouled on the play. After a timeout by the Jackets, Johnson drilled the free-throw to make the score 68-66. However, as they had done all day, Cedarville never flinched, scoring the next two baskets to pull in front by six, ultimately going on to a seven-point win.
The Oilers, which tied their second-lowest point total of the season, could not get it going from the floor, making just 25-of-68 (37%) including 8-of-30 (27%) from three-point range. Cedarville was a different story, making 30-of-58 (52%) including 11-of-27 (41%) from beyond the arc. The Yellow Jackets also dominated on the glass, grabbing 44 rebounds to just 30 for the Oilers.
Junior Max Roth led the way with 13 points on the strength of 5-for-5 from the charity stripe. He also had two assists and two steals.
The quartet of junior Jagger Landers, junior Mason Brandt, freshman Alex Kendall, and Meister each scored nine. Kendall, who hit three triples in the game, led the team with five rebounds.
Findlay now has to hit the road with a trip to Northwood University on Thursday, Feb. 6. That contest will tip off at 7:30 pm and can be viewed on the Great Midwest Digital Network.
