#4 Knights End #25 Oilers Season

The University of Findlay men's basketball team, ranked 25th in the nation, had their season come to a close with an 86-63 defeat at the hands of #4 Bellarmine University on Sunday, March 11 in Louisville, Ky. 

The Oilers, who ended the season with a 24-7 record, saw the Knights race out to a 45-23 lead at the break as Bellarmine shot 59.3 percent (16-of-27) in the opening frame. 

Findlay meanwhile connected on only 34.9 percent (10-of-29) of their shots and turned the ball over seven times in the period.

The Oilers played better in the second half, but the first half advantage was too much to overcome as the Knights advanced to the finals of the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional Tournament and will continue their quest to become back-to-back national champions.

As a team, the Oilers shot 40 percent (24-of-60) from the floor and canned 8-of-23 (34.8%) shots from behind the three point line.

Bellarmine meanwhile connected on 57.1 percent (32-of-56) of their field goal attempts and drained 9-of-22 (40.9%) shots from long range.

Senior guard Kyle Caiola led the team with a season-high 26 points on 10-of-13 shooting.  He also hit all four of his shots from three point distance in the game.

Sophomore guard Sean Samsel also reached double figures with 12 points on four triples.

The Knights were led by Keisten Jones' 20 points and eight rebounds.

Chris Dowe added 16 points, ten assists and seven rebounds for Bellarmine as well.