Findlay, Ohio – As has become some what of a preseason tradition in Northwest Ohio, the University of Findlay men's basketball team played host to the University of Toledo Rockets in an exhibition game on Sunday, Oct. 19 in Croy Gymnasium. The Oilers, which are coming off of a season in which they won the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) regular season title, outscored Toledo in the second half but came up short, dropping Sunday's friendly by a score of 123-103.

Sunday marks the sixth time in nine years that Toledo has taken on the Oilers in Croy with Findlay's lone win coming in the debut contest back in 2017, an 89-86 win.

Lead 12-11 early in the first half, Toledo used a 22-2 run to take control of the game, ultimately leading 62-40 at the break. The Rockets shot a blistering 68% (21-of-31) in the first 20 minutes including 8-of-13 from downtown while the Oilers struggled to make shots, hitting just 15-of-40 (38%) to start the game.

Findlay's offense came alive in the second half, shooting 56.3% from the floor and connecting on 8-of-21 from beyond the arc. The Oilers also dominated the offensive glass, grabbing 13 second-chance rebounds and converting them into 15 second-chance points, however it was not enough as the Rockets went on to a 20-point victory.

The Oilers forced Toledo in 19 turnovers while committing just 13 and benefited from 29 second chance points against their opponents from the Mid-American Conference (MAC). Where the Rockets shined was with their fast-paced play, pouring in 43 fast break points.

Findlay held their own offensively, finishing the game shooting 47.7% from the field (42-of-88) including 12-of-42 (29%) from three-point range.

Senior Jagger Landers and junior Jake Bishop led the way for the Oilers, scoring 16 points. Sophomore Steele Meister added 15 points. That trio of players had five, three, and four rebounds, respectively.

Senior Mason Brandt chipped in with 11 points and seven rebounds and brought Croy to its' feet with a pair of high-flying put-back dunks.

The Oilers officially kick off their season on November 14 with a trip to Quincy, Illinois for a game against Truman State.