Bulldogs Bite Oilers 63-60
The University of Findlay women's basketball team dropped a 63-60 decision to Ferris State University on Jan. 2 in Croy Gymnasium. The loss gives the Oilers a 5-4 record on the season with a 1-4 mark in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC).
The Oilers led 33-30 at the break, but were down by seven points at 61-54 with just under two minutes to play in the game. Needing some quick buckets, the Oilers got a lift from senior guard Ciara Geiger, who connected on back-to-back three pointers.
Trailing by three points at 63-60, the Oilers forced a five second call and had to chance to win the game in the final 25 seconds. Sophomore guard Karli Bonar missed on a three point attempt, but senior guard Nikki Gunning kept things alive with an offensive rebound. She then missed a three point try, which was then rebounded by Bonar. Bonar then kicked the ball out to Geiger, but her shot was off the mark as the buzzer sounded.
The Oilers only shot 34.5 percent (20-of-58) from the floor while the Bulldogs connected on 46.9 percent (23-of-49) of their shot attempts. Findlay did force 22 turnovers and held a 36-32 advantage on the boards in the game.
Bonar led the team with 15 points on five three pointers while Geiger had 12 points, four rebounds and two steals.
Junior forward Margaret Wuebker added 11 points and eight rebounds while Gunning contributed eight points and six rebounds off the bench.
The Bulldogs were led by Christina Branch, who had a game-high 17 points.
The Oilers will return to Croy on Sunday to host 17th-ranked Grand Valley State at 1 p.m.