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Oilers Basketball Continues Its Success
By Dylan DeWitt
dewittd@findlay.edu
@dd_witt
Senior Day is a day filled with emotions. A magical feeling in a way for not only the players, but the coaching staff who are able to honor the players for their efforts in the program, the parents and family get the opportunity to watch their son`s final game at home, and the institution is able to give their respect to the players. In Croy Gymnasium, Saturday, Feb. 24, Senior Day was a magical day among it all from the introductions of the seniors to the big second half to secure a victory over the Hillsdale Chargers. On Saturday afternoon, the #14 Oilers were victorious by a score of 88-61.
As most senior day games go, the introductions are more than associated for the senior players to be escorted by their parents to center court in order to be recognized by their careers to the entire gymnasium. However, as stated before, this senior day game had a bit more magic in the air. After the four seniors were announced, Drew Garverick, Austin Gardner, Elijah Kahlig, and Martyce Kimbrough, it was Taren Sullivan who would be the final senior to be announced. It started as an introduction filled with congratulations and hugs, but ended with him down on one knee.
In front of a sold out crowd of 1,401, Sullivan turned to his girlfriend and on one knee held out a ring to propose. With an emotional and loving shock to her face she said yes, and the magic of Croy Gymnasium began at center court for the newly engaged couple.
However, going into halftime, it appeared that the Hillsdale Chargers gained the magical touch through the first half. The Chargers were shooting roughly 60% from the field and led the Oilers by nine points. Coming out of the locker room, the Oilers appeared to be reenergized, and the senior day game would be all Findlay for the rest of the game.
The Oilers outscored the Chargers 57-21 in the second half, erasing the once nine-point lead into a shooting palooza. The Oilers shot over 50% for the game in a result to the shooting efforts from the entire squad. One of the hot hands of the day was senior guard, Elijah Kahlig. The senior was able to compile 20 points on 6-7 three point shooting along with a career-high in rebounds. Other senior notables were Kimbrough and Sullivan who had 14 and 12. Sullivan ended with a double-double with 10 assists.
The second half effort was highly made through the entire team both seniors down to the freshmen. The Oilers are starting to really hit a stride moving forward in the season. With senior day being the last game of the regular season, the team will look to host the G-MAC tournament starting March 1-3 in hopes of winning a conference title and automatic NCAA Championships. The Findlay Oilers are now 25-3, 19-1 conference record, and riding a five-win streak into the postseason. Let the March Madness Magic begin!
