Findlay, Ohio – The University of Findlay men's basketball team rallied from 28-down with ten minutes to play but came up just shy against the Hillsdale College Chargers, losing by a final of 78-72 in Croy Gymnasium. With that defeat the Oilers fall to 12-7 overall with a 6-5 mark in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) while the Chargers improve to 8-10 (5-5 G-MAC).

Thursday night belonged to Hillsdale early in the game as the Chargers exploded out of the gates, taking a 47-25 lead at halftime. That lead grew to a game-high 29 points with 13:38 left when the visitors pulled in front 62-33.

From that point on the Oilers outscored Hillsdale 39-16, getting as close four points at 74-70 with 17 seconds remaining. However, that Chargers hit free-throws down the stretch to seal the win, Hillsdale's first in Croy since 2020 and third since the turn of the century.

Hillsdale drilled 53% of its' attempts in the first half included 7-of-15 from deep while the Oilers made just 39% and score 25 points, its' fewest in a first half this year.

In Findlay's 39-16 run to end the game, the Oilers hit 15-of-27 from the floor, did not turn the ball over, and forced the Chargers into four turnovers and just 4-of-15 from the field.

The final numbers for the Oilers included 28-of-61 (46%) from the field and 5-of-21 (24%) from deep, outrebounding the Chargers 35-to-31.

Senior Mekhi Elmore paced Findlay with 20 points, his third consecutive 20-point game. Sophomore Javonte Hill scored 12 while senior Mason Brandt had ten to go along with seven rebounds and three steals.

Findlay will be back in action on Saturday, Jan. 24 with a trip to Lake Erie College. Tip off is set for 3:00 pm.