Ashland, Ohio - The University of Findlay men's basketball team fell in a double-overtime thriller on Monday, January 5, dropping a 105-104 decision to Ashland at Kates Gymnasium. The loss moves the Oilers to 9-5 overall and 3-3 in Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) play, while the Eagles improve to 10-4 and 4-2 in the conference.

The teams played evenly throughout the night, finishing the first half tied 45-45 after trading scoring runs. Findlay used a strong stretch midway through the second half to build a seven-point lead, but Ashland responded with an 8-0 run to erase the deficit. Neither side led by more than a few possessions the rest of the way, and regulation ended deadlocked at 85-85.

The first overtime brought more of the same, with both teams scoring 11 points and forcing a second extra period. In the closing seconds of double overtime, Findlay trailed by one before senior Anthony Johnson delivered, hitting a contested jumper in the lane to give the Oilers a 104-102 lead. Ashland answered on the ensuing possession, converting inside with an basket and free-throw by reigning G-MAC Player of the Year Maceo Williams. Brandt had a triple try at the buzzer for the win but the shot was off the mark.

Brandt led all Findlay scorers with a career-high 28 points on 7-of-13 shooting, including 4-of-6 from 3-point range and 10-of-12 at the free-throw line. He also grabbed eight rebounds in one of the strongest performances of his career. Senior Mekhi Elmore added 13 points, while senior Jagger Landers scored 12 and sophomore Ian Ioppolo finished with 11. Junior Jake Bishop and Anthony Johnson each chipped in nine.

Findlay shot 47.3% (35-for-74) from the field, 48.3% (14-for-29) from beyond the arc and 83.3% (20-for-24) at the line. The Oilers' bench contributed 42 points, and the team capitalized on Ashland's mistakes with 28 points off turnovers. Ashland countered with 62 points in the paint and a 56.7% (38-for-67) shooting mark overall in a game that featured 25 lead changes and 19 ties.

The Oilers stay on the road on Thursday, January 8 for a game against the Tiffin Dragons in Tiffin. That contest will tip off at 7:30 pm.