Findlay, Ohio- The University of Findlay women's basketball team faced off against Cedarville University on Saturday, Feb. 1 for a Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) match-up. Using a surge in the second half, the Yellow Jackets would defeat the Oilers by a score of 81-80.

With the loss, Findlay now stands at 17-6 and 10-4 in conference play. Cedarville rises to 9-11 and 5-7 in conference play.

The opening minutes were tightly contested, but a dominant 16-2 run to close the quarter gave the Oilers control. During that stretch, Findlay shot 7-of-10 from the field, including 2-of-3 from deep, while limiting Cedarville to just 1-of-8 shooting and forcing three turnovers.

Leading 24-12, Findlay extended its advantage to 49-34 by halftime. The 49 first-half points marked the team's highest scoring output in any first half this season.

The Oilers built their largest lead of the game at the five-minute mark of the third quarter, pulling ahead 64-43 for a 21-point advantage. Cedarville responded with a 12-5 run over the next four minutes, cutting the deficit to 12.

The fourth and final frame spelled trouble for the Oilers.

Findlay was outscored 26-13 in the final stretch. Despite holding a seven-point lead with two minutes remaining, Cedarville responded with a dominant run, hitting 3-of-3 from the field, including 1-of-1 from beyond the arc, and a perfect 2-of-2 from the free-throw line. With the game tied at 79, senior Kate Ellis made her second free throw to give the Oilers an 80-79 lead. Following defensive pressure, Findlay forced a Cedarville timeout. However, a late-game foul sent the Yellow Jackets to the line, where they converted to take an 81-80 lead with three seconds left. A last-second attempt by senior Janae Hoying fell short, and Cedarville held on for the one-point victory.

As a team the Oilers were 32-of-63 (50.8%) from the floor, including 6-of-15 (40.0%) from deep. Meanwhile, Cedarville was 29-of-64 (45.3%) and 10-of-29 (34.5%) from deep. At the free-throw line, the Yellow Jackets had the edge, making 13-of-17 (76.5%) attempts, while Findlay connected on 10-of-15 (66.7%). Cedarville forced Findlay into 13 turnovers, including five in the fourth quarter, converting them into 13 points.

Senior Kate Ellis and junior Alyssa Ziehler led Findlay with 17 points. Ellis was 8-of-15 from the floor while adding four rebounds. Ziehler meanwhile led the team in rebounds with seven.

Sophomore Taylor Stanley chipped in eleven points while recording a season-high four assists. 

Findlay returns to action on Saturday, Feb. 8, hitting the road to face conference leader Malone. Tip-off is set for 1:00 p.m.