Oilers Beat Tech, Sweep U.P. Trip
The University of Findlay men's basketball team edged Michigan Technological University by a score of 72-70 on Dec. 17 in Houghton, Mich. to push their record to 7-3 on the season with a 4-2 mark in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC).
The Oilers built a 35-29 lead at the half, but the Huskies answered with an 18-4 run to begin the second half. Trailing 52-43 with 11 minutes to play, the Oilers answered with a 13-0 run in the next three minutes to take a 56-52 lead.
After both teams traded runs, the Oilers found themselves down 64-61 with just over three minutes to play. Junior guard Elijah Kahlig and junior forward Taren Sullivan then hit back-to-back triples to give Findlay a 67-64 lead. A three by the Huskies tied the game, but Kahlig answered with another triple to give Findlay a 70-67 advantage with just under two minutes remaining. The Huskies would then hit another triple to tie the game, but senior forward Tyler Stern-Tucker scored on a layup with just five ticks left to give the Oilers a sweep in the Upper Peninsula.
The Oilers shot 46.4 percent (26-of-56) from the floor and canned 11-of-27 (40.7%) attempts from long range. They were led by Sullivan, who posted 25 points, a career-high nine assists, eight rebounds and a pair of steals. He also made 9-of-14 shot attempts and drained 4-of-5 attempts from three point range.
Kahlig had a huge game as he tied his career-high with 22 points. Kahlig made 7-of-13 attempts from the field and splashed a career-high 6-of-11 tries from three point land in the victory.
Stern-Tucker was huge off the bench with 12 points and three rebounds while sophomore forward Katwan Singleton had four points, four rebounds, two assists and one block.
The Huskies, who shot 41.4 percent (24-of-58) from the floor, were led by Tommy Lucca's 19 points.
The Oilers will now make the long journey home and prepare to face Trevecca Nazarene and Marygrove over the Holiday break. The Oilers will host Trevecca at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 29 before taking on Marygrove at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 30.