OWENSBORO, KY. – It was down to the final seconds at the historic Sportscenter on Thursday evening as the University of Findlay breathed a sigh of relief, escaping with a 59-56 victory over the Kentucky Wesleyan College men's basketball team. The Panthers missed-fired on their final possession allowing the Oiler to earn their 10^th Great Midwest win of the season.
 
The Oilers (15-6, 10-2 GMAC) enjoyed a 53-47 lead with seven minutes left in the game, it was their largest lead of the night. The Panthers (7-13, 6-7 GMAC) pulled with 55-53 after Ben Sisson's lay-up and after a steal by Erik Bell, Wyatt Battaile buried a three-point basket to return a one-point lead to Wesleyan, 56-55.
 
The Oilers turned it over again on the next possession this time Adam Goetz picked-up the loose ball. The Panthers were unable to score as nearly two minutes left the clock before Aaron Overhiser gave the Oilers a one-point 57-56 lead with 97 seconds left in the game. Overhiser was the beneficiary of two offensive rebounds on the Oilers possession.
 
Bell missed a go-ahead jumper on the following possession as the Panthers defense stepped-up again, forcing the Oilers to accept a shot-clock violation or heave a 35-foot attempt. The shot hit back iron and bounced back into the hands of Bell.
 
The Panthers were unable to convert and were forced to foul with 10 seconds left. After Findlay extend the lead to 59-56, the Panthers found Goetz immediately down the floor and open in the corner. Goetz missed, but Zach Hopewell picked-up the rebound. As he hopped back behind the three-point line, Hopewell was called for traveling, giving Findlay a chance to run out the clock.
 
Both teams suffered through a slow start to the contest as Wesleyan shot 37% from the field in the opening half while the Oilers were shooting at 35% clip. Nevertheless, the Panthers went into the locker-room with a 27-24 lead. Battaile accounted for 12 first half points. With 10 minutes left in the game the Oilers clung to a 46-44 lead as the back-and-forth battle continued into the final six minutes.
 
Battaile finished with 23 points and 12 rebounds to record his first double-double of the season. Goetz added 18 points and four assists. Sisson gave the Panthers nine points and six rebounds in 22 minutes off the bench.
 
The Panthers will host Hillsdale College on Saturday in the final home game of the season. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:15 PM with Senior Day Ceremony to precede the game.
 
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