Schmock's Buzzer Beater Gives #10 Oilers 68-65 Win
The 10th-ranked University of Findlay men basketball team defeated 23rd-ranked Hillsdale College on a half court buzzer beater by senior guard Tommy Schmock on Jan. 2 in Niekamp Arena. The 68-65 victory propels the Oilers record to 5-0 on the year with a matching mark in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC).
The Oilers trailed the Chargers 35-23 at the half before outscoring them 45-30 in the final period. Down the stretch, the Oilers had a 65-62 lead with only two seconds remaining, but fouled on a three point attempt to give Hillsdale a chance to tie the game. Hillsdale's Patrick Cartier then calmly sank all three free throw attempts to tie the game at 65-65 before Schmock took the inbounds pass and raced down the right side of the floor before launching a desperation heave from the half court line that found nothing but the bottom of the net.
The Oilers shot 43.9 percent (25-of-57) from the floor while the Chargers converted 52.4 percent (22-of-42) of their field goal attempts. The Oilers came away with nine steals in the game as well and made 8of-18 (44.4%) attempts from behind the three point line.
Junior guard Ethan Linder came off the bench to pace the Oilers with 15 points and four rebounds while senior forward Anthony Masterlasco had 13 points on 5-of-12 shooting.
Sophomore forward Nathan Bruns also reached double figures with 11 points on 5-of-8 shooting while Schmock ended the game with ten points, four steals, and three assists.
The Chargers were led by Davis Larson's game-high 18 points and seven rebounds.
The Oilers will be back in action again on Jan. 8 when they host Malone University at 7:30 p.m.