Box score

January 20, 2011 - This was a game the Hillsdale College men's basketball team had been looking forward to for a long time. It ended up becoming a game best left behind.

The Chargers came into Thursday night's clash with Findlay sporting a program-best 14-1 record. But that gaudy record dropped by one spot after the Oilers handed the Chargers a 77-68 defeat before more than 900 fans Thursday night at Jesse Philips Arena.

Hillsdale, ranked 11th in the nation, falls to 14-2 overall and 8-2 in the GLIAC with the loss, while Findlay, ranked 6th in the nation, improved to 15-1.

The two teams traded good scoring runs and strong defensive stands in the first half, and played to a 31-31 draw in the game's opening 20 minutes.

The Chargers were never able to wrest the lead from the Oilers, who showed all of the moxie and mettle they've become known for in establishing themselves as an elite program in Division II. Hillsdale would often play terrific defense for 20-plus seconds of a possession, but Findlay's outside shooters had a knack for making high-degree of difficulty shots all game long. The outside shot proved to be one of the differences in the game.

The Oilers were 11-for-21 from 3-point territory, enjoying a 15-point advantage on the Chargers when comparing 3-point baskets between the two teams. Findlay also went 9-for-10 from the free throw line in the game's final five minutes, preventing the Chargers from mounting any kind of scoring run as the game wound down.

Hillsdale junior Brad Guinane was tough in defeat for the Chargers, leading the team with 15 points on 6-for-9 shooting from the floor. Tyler Gerber had 13 points and six assists, while Brent Eaton and Nick Meinert each contributed 10 points.

Redshirt-freshman forward Tony Nelson scored a career-high nine points for Hillsdale College in the game.

Point guard Kyle Caiola led the Oilers with 18 points, making five of his seven shots from the field.