By: Dylan DeWitt
Email: dewittd@findlay.edu
Twitter: @dd_witt
The season began for the University of Findlay’s women’s basketball team on Nov. 11 in Painesville, Oh. against the Wayne State Warriors; a game that would have to go into extra minutes and be decided in overtime.
The Oilers were defeated in the contest, 92-88, to begin the season. However, what came next is something worth mentioning. Over almost a two months span, the next twelve games would go a different route for the women’s squad. Twelve wins to be exact.
The win streak began with a victory against Tiffin University at the GMAC/ GLIAC Challenge with a triumph of 32 points, 95-63. The streak would move on with another twelve victories in a row. The twelfth win came against Ohio Dominican, another overtime thriller. Ironically enough, the Oilers won 92-88 – the same score they lost to Wayne State just flipped as that defeat fueled their streak.
Along the streak, the women’s team had multiple highlights along the way. Multiple players were awarded GMAC player of the week. Anna Hintz was named player of the week during Dec. 10 -16. In that week, Hintz helped the Oilers to two wins on the road against Ohio Dominican and a double-overtime victory versus Cedarville. In the two games, Hintz averaged 25.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks a game.
Another highlight during the win streak, other than compiling wins and excitement, came from Senior Lynsey Englebrecht. In the women’s victory over Davis & Elkins, Englebrecht broke a school record of most 3-pointers made in program history. She was able to knock down a total of 8 3-point field goals. Currently she has 58 3-pointers this season, which puts her only 20 behind the record for most in a season. This record has stood for two decade set in 1997-1998 by Trish Lauck with 78. With Englebrecht’s efforts, she too earned GMAC player of the week.
The winning streak concluded with a loss to the Ursuline on the road, but the team holds a 13-3 record overall with a 10-2 record in conference play. The Oilers will be back in action at home on Saturday, Jan. 27 at 3 p.m. against Kentucky Wesleyan.
As the season has passed its halfway point and postseason play inches closer and closer, the Oilers, who are still ranked first in the GMAC, will look to keep the victory morale going, and start another streak of their own.