Kahlig, Samsel Come Up Big In Oilers Overtime Win

The University of Findlay men’s basketball team, ranked second in the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) poll, needed overtime to put away Tiffin University as they defeated the Dragons 93-85 on Thursday, December 16 in Tiffin, Ohio. The win gives the Oilers a 9-0 record on the year with a 3-0 mark in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC).

The Oilers, who held a 15-point lead in the second half, saw their lead evaporate in the second half as the Dragons continually pounded the offensive glass and hit clutch shots from all over the court.

At the 3:36 mark of the second period, Tiffin tied the game at 71-71 on a lay-up by Richard Morrow and took a six-point lead at 80-74 on a couple of free throws by Travis Spahr with only 1:17 remaining.

Down by six, freshman forward Greg Kahlig nailed a jumper to cut the lead to four. After a missed free throw by the Dragons, junior guard Kyle Caiola connected on a pair of shots from the charity stripe to make the score 80-78 with 49 ticks showing on the clock.

A steal by senior guard Nathan Hyde gave the ball to Findlay and sophomore forward Brad Piehl scored with 30 seconds left to tie the game. The Dragons then missed an attempt at the buzzer and the game headed into overtime.

In overtime, the Oilers jumped out to a four-point lead on a lay-up by Piehl and jumper by Caiola. Kahlig then split a pair at the line before Tiffin’s Brian Scott made two from the charity stripe to make the score 85-82 with 2:45 left in the extra session.

The Dragons, down by three, looked to Brian Scott on the ensuing possession and he delivered by hitting a step-back three pointer to tie the game with just under two minutes to play.

Tied again, Hyde delivered a clutch lay-up to put the Oilers back up by two with 1:14 remaining. Freshman Sean Samsel, who entered the game when Caiola fouled out, then took over, icing the game with a steal and four free throws down the stretch to give Findlay a thrilling victory.

Kahlig led the way with 28 points off the bench. He hit 10-of-16 shots, 4-of-6 from the three point line, to go along with four rebounds and three assists.

Hyde ended the game with 17 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals while Caiola chipped in 14 during the win.

Piehl also played great in the post, recording his first career double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds.

The Dragons were led by Keenan Barlow’s 28 points.

As a team, Findlay shot 50.0 percent (32-of-64) from the floor while Tiffin connected on 41.1 percent (30-of-73) of their shots.

The Oilers will be back in action again on Saturday when they host Ohio Dominican University at 1 pm in Croy Gymnasium.