Findlay, Ohio- The University of Findlay men's basketball team put together a dominant second-half performance Saturday February 28th, rolling past Ashland University 80–61 inside Croy Physical Education Center. With the win, Findlay improves to 17-11 overall and 11-9 in Great Midwest Athletic Conference play, while Ashland drops to 19-9 (13-7 G-MAC). After suffering a heartbreaking 105-104 double-overtime loss at Ashland earlier this season, Saturday's win made the senior-day statement victory even more thrilling for the Oilers.

Ashland shot 51.6 percent in the opening half and carried a 43-35 lead into the locker room, capped by a three-pointer from junior Anthony Johnson in the closing seconds. The Eagles controlled much of the first 20 minutes, scoring 34 points in the paint and building a lead as large as 13.

The momentum shifted quickly after halftime.

Findlay opened the second half with a surge on both ends of the floor, tightening its defense and finding rhythm offensively. A three-pointer from senior Jagger Landers at the 17:23 mark trimmed the deficit to three, and moments later senior Max Roth converted a steal into a go-ahead layup to give the Oilers a 49-47 advantage — their first lead since early in the contest.

From there, the Oilers took control. Roth knocked down a tightly-contested key three-pointer at the 11:25 mark to extend the lead to 61-51, igniting a 14-2 run that flipped the game decisively in Findlay's favor. The Oilers shot 51.7 percent in the second half and outscored Ashland 45-18 over the final 20 minutes while holding the Eagles to just 20 percent shooting after the break.

Junior Anthony Johnson led Findlay with 19 points, connecting on three shots from beyond the arc and adding two assists. Sophomore Steele Meister added 11 points and four rebounds, while Max Roth provided a major spark off the bench with 11 points, including a pair of three-pointers and several key plays during the decisive run.

Jagger Landers chipped in 13 points and went a perfect 5-of-5 from the free-throw line, including key makes late to help seal the victory. Senior Mason Brandt was active on the glass, pulling down a team-high nine rebounds to go along with eight points.

The Oilers forced 12 turnovers and turned them into 20 points, while their bench delivered a strong contribution with 34 points. Findlay also edged Ashland 38-34 in points in the paint and shot an efficient 81.3 percent (13-of-16) from the free-throw line.

After trailing by eight at halftime, Findlay's defensive intensity and balanced scoring fueled an emphatic rivalry win on their home floor.

The Oilers now turn their focus to the Great Midwest Athletic Conference Tournament, with quarterfinal action starting Tuesday, March 3, when they travel to Ohio Dominican University.