Findlay, Ohio- The University of Findlay men's basketball opened their 2026-27 campaign with an exhibition match against the University of Toledo Rockets inside Croy Physical Education Center on Sunday,October 18. In what has become an almost yearly tradition, the Oilers welcomed the Division I, Mid-American Conference (MAC) members to Findlay for the seventh time in ten years. After a strong first half performance from the Orange and Black, the Rockets would ultimately prevail by a final score of 88-78.  

A solid first-half performance from the Oilers was capped off by a 12-2 run to give them a 44-35 lead entering the break. Findlay would shoot 45% (16-35), while knocking down 6-of-20 triples in the first half.  

The Oilers would take their largest lead of the game early in the second half by 11 points, followed by a 14-point Rocket scoring run shortly thereafter to allow them to take control of the game. Toledo would find their groove after shooting 50% from the field in the first half. They would shoot an impressive 63% (21-33), while also going 36% (4-11) from beyond the arc in the second half.

A dominating performance under the basket saw the Rockets score 62 of their 88 points in the paint on the day, compared to Findlay's 34. The Oilers led in several categories on the afternoon, including free-throw percentage, total time with lead, and second chance points. They would ultimately hold their own against the Rockets after shooting 28-69 (40%) and going 10-35 (28%) from three overall. Additionally, the Oilers led the turnover battle, forcing 17 against the Rockets, while committing 15 of their own. The Rockets would finish the game with a 56% (37-65) field-goal percentage, while also going 4-16 (25%) from three overall. 

Junior Alex Kendall led the Oilers in scoring with 23 points on the day, along with seven rebounds, and a pair of steals and assists each. Complimenting Kendall was senior Anthony Johnson with ten points and senior Jake Bishop with nine. Bishop would finish the game leading the team with eight rebounds on the day. 

Findlay will officially begin their season when they open up with Truman State on Friday, November 13, in Cedarville, Ohio.