 Findlay,
Ohio -- The University of Findlay men's basketball team, ranked first in the
latest National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) poll, captured the 2009
Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Tournament title with a
67-56 win over Grand Valley State University on Saturday, March 7 in Croy
Gymnasium. The championship victory was the Oilers fourth in the past six years,
giving them a 30-0 record on the season. The contest was a tale of two halves as
Findlay struggled in the opening period by shooting only 29.0 percent (9-of-31)
from the floor. In comparison, the Lakers hit 48.0 (12-of-25) of their attempts
but found themselves up only three points at 27-24 when the first half buzzer
sounded. The second half was dominated by the Oilers defense as they made life miserable for Grand Valley State. Senior forward Morgan Lewis (6'4''-F-87) got things started when he tied the game at 27-27 just 20 seconds into the final period on an old fashioned three point play. Lewis would then give Findlay a 33-32 lead with 16:31 to play on a lay-up before junior guard Marcus Parker (5'9''-G-87) made the score 35-32 only 14 seconds later. After a lay-up by the Lakers Toreau Brown (6'5''-F), Lewis would cram home a dunk at the 15:24 mark to make the score 37-34 before senior guard Aaron Laflin (5'11''-G) canned the Oilers first three pointer of the game, giving Findlay a 40-34 advantage with 13:20 showing on the clock. Laflin's three was followed by another one from senior forward Josh Bostic (6'5''-F-87) and senior guard Tyler Evans (6'2''-G-86) moments later after Justin Ringler (6'4''-G/F) converted a three point play for the Lakers. Leading 46-37 with 11:42 left, Laflin canned a jumper and then split a pair of free throws before Parker drained a triple to give Findlay a 52-37 advantage with 7:09 remaining in the game. Leading by 15, Lewis split a pair of free throws before Parker and Hyde made a pair from the charity stripe to give the Oilers a 57-39 advantage with 5:59 to play. The 12-0 run by Findlay broke the Lakers will as they held them scoreless for almost seven straight minutes. Grand Valley State mounted a mini comeback at the end to tighten the gap but it wasn't enough as the Oilers tied a school record with their 30th victory of the season. As a team, Findlay shot 38.6 percent (22-of-57) from the floor but made 19-of-25 (76.0%) of their free throw attempts compared to a 7-of-9 (77.8%) showing from Grand Valley State. The Oilers also grabbed 17 offensive rebounds and forced the Lakers into 20 turnovers during the win. Lewis recorded 15 points, ten rebounds, four steals, three assists and two blocks to earn all-tournament honors while Parker chipped in 15 points and four boards as an all-tournament selection as well. Senior center Lee Roberts (6'7''-F/C-87) added 10 points and four boards while Bostic recorded nine points and five rebounds en route to being selected the 2009 GLIAC Tournament MVP. For the tournament, the All-American from Columbus, Ohio averaged 20.7 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. The Lakers were led by Toreau Brown's 12 points. Grand Valley State's Pete Trammell (6'5''-G/F), who scored 11 points in the championship game, and Ringler were each named to the all-tournament team as well along with Michigan Technological University's Robby Springborn (5'11''-G-85). Findlay will be back in action on Saturday, March 14 when they compete in the 2009 NCAA Division II Midwest Region Tournament against an opponent to be determined. Courtesy of Findlay Sports Tournament Final: Findlay - Grand Vally St. 67-56 Tournament Semifinals: Grand Vally St - Lake Superior 81-69 Findlay - Michigan Tech 64-46 GLIAC All-Tournament MVP: Josh Bostic of Findlay
Morgan Lewis of University of Findlay Marcus Parker of University of Findlay Pete Trammell of Grand Valley State University Justin Ringler of Grand Valley State University Robby Springborn of Michigan Technological University All-GLIAC North Division 1st Team Justin Keenan (6'6''-F/C) of Ferris State University Ryan Kuhl (6'8''-F/C) of Lake Superior State University Pete Trammell of Grand Valley State University Tim Vanoudheusden (6'4''-G) of Lake Superior State University Dante Williams (6'1''-G-87) of Saginaw Valley State University All-GLIAC South Division 1st Team Josh Bostic of University of Findlay Tony Gugino (6'9''-C) of Hillsdale College Morgan Lewis of University of Findlay Marcus Parker of University of Findlay Kale Richardson (6'8''-F-87) of Ashland University All-GLIAC North Division 2nd Team Fedrick Bowe (6'5''-F-86) of Michigan Technological University Darien Gay (5'10''-G) of Ferris State University Justin Ringler of Grand Valley State University Robby Springborn of Michigan Technological University Avery Stephenson (6'4''-G-87) of Saginaw Valley State University All-GLIAC South Division 2nd Team Shane Lawal (6'9''-C-86) of Wayne State University Chris Johnson (6'3''-G) of Northwood University Keith MacKenzie (6'2''-G-86) of Hillsdale College Bret Wackerly (5'11''-G) of Ashland University Bryan Wright (5'9''-G-88) of Wayne State University GLIAC North Division All-Defensive Team Brandon Ball (5'11''-G) of Michigan Technological University Sean Geary (5'10''-G-86) of Michigan Technological University Justin Ringler of Grand Valley State University Pete Trammell of Grand Valley State University Chris Warner (6'1''-G-83) of Northern Michigan University GLIAC South Division All-Defensive Team Josh Bostic of University of Findlay Shane Lawal of Wayne State University Lee Roberts of University of Findlay Larry Edwards (5'7''-G-87) of Wayne State University Tyler Rosenberger (6'6''-F-86) of Ashland University GLIAC Player of the Year: Josh Bostic of University of Findlay GLIAC Freshman of the Year: Raymont McElroy (6'1''-G-89) of Northern Michigan University GLIAC Coach of the Year: Ron Niekamp of University of Findlay | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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