Ashland, Ohio- The University of Findlay men's basketball team, ranked twelfth in the country, suffered a 76-69 road defeat at the hands of the Ashland University Eagles on Thursday, Feb. 27. That loss gives the Oilers a 23-4 record on the year and a 16-3 mark in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC). Meanwhile, the Eagles improve to 15-11 with a 11-8 record in conference play.

In their 103rd all-time meeting, the Oilers and Eagles continued a rivalry that dates back to 1910. Though Findlay earned a lopsided victory in Croy Gymnasium earlier this season, the rematch in Kate Gymnasium told a different story.

As they've done all season, the Oilers struck first with a three-pointer from junior Josh Thorbahn to open the game. Findlay kept it close early but created separation with a 13-4 run over a five-minute stretch. During that span, UF shot 4-of-7 from the field, 2-of-5 from beyond the arc, and converted 3-of-4 free throws.

Despite holding a ten-point lead midway through the first half, Findlay saw Ashland respond with a run of their own, tying the game with six minutes remaining. During that stretch, the Eagles limited the Oilers to 2-of-7 shooting, including just 1-of-4 from three, while converting 5-of-6 from the field and a perfect 2-of-2 from deep. 

The game stayed tight, with the Oilers carrying a one-point lead into halftime.

The final 20 minutes belonged to the home team which was clearly comfortable shooting in its' home gym. Findlay got cold, making just 12-of-31 (38.71%) including only 2-of-14 (14.29%) from three which was bad timing because the Eagles got hot, making 29-of-57 (50.9%) from the floor and 8-of-17 (47.1%) from three in the second half. That shooting performance propelled Ashland to an eight-point advantage in the frame as the home team went on to win by seven.

Ashland dominated the paint, outscoring Findlay 38-22, and edged out the Oilers on the boards, 37-34.

No Findlay players reached double figures, with junior Josh Thorbahn and sophomore Will Aljancic leading the way with nine points each.

Junior Jagger Landers pulled down a team-high seven rebounds while adding eight points, while sophomore Anthony Johnson also chipped in eight points along with five rebounds.

Following Thursday's conference results, the University of Findlay clinched the Great Midwest Regular Season title, securing the top seed in next week's Great Midwest Men's Basketball Championship.

The Oilers will wrap up the regular season with a trip to Painesville, Ohio as they take on the Lake Erie Storm on Saturday, March 1. That game will tip off at 3pm.