#1 Oilers Headed to the Elite Eight
MVP Marwan Gaines
Findlay - Ferris State Box Score
The University of Findlay's men's basketball team is headed to Grand Forks, North Dakota for the Elite Eight after winning the Great Lakes Regional Tournament on Tuesday night, 94-73 over Ferris State University.
The Oilers started off hot, gaining an 11-4 lead 3:23 into the game and never took their foot off the accelerator from then on as they cruised to their 30th win of the season in front of capacity crowd of screaming fans in Croy Gymnasium.
Findlay, who probably played their best game of the season, shot a blistering 64.9 percent (37-of-57) from the floor and forced 15 Bulldog turnovers in the convincing win. The Oilers also hit 7-of-14 three pointers in the game and dished out a season-high 25 assists.
Sophomore center
Chris Commons, who threw down two thunderous dunks in the game, led the Oilers with 29 points on 13-of-16 shooting. Commons, who was one point shy of a career-high during the game, also grabbed a career best nine rebounds in the game. For his efforts, Commons was named to the all-tournament team.
Senior forward
Marwan Gaines who was named tournament MVP, poured in 19 points and had eight rebounds in 30 minutes of action. For the tournament, Gaines averaged 14.0 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game. Gaines also shot a remarkable 75 percent (15-of-20) from the floor in Findlay's three wins.
Junior guard
Dustin Pfeifer was the final Findlay player on the all-tournament team. Pfeifer scored 15 points and dished out a career-high 11 assists in the win over Ferris and averaged 12.7 points, 6.0 assists and 2.3 steals per game during the tournament.
Senior guard
Tyson McGlaughlin, who had trouble finding his shot in the first two rounds, came alive in the championship game after clicking for 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting. McGlaughlin also dished out five assists on the night. The Bulldogs were led by Carlton Epps' 18 points. Jeffery Shanahan also had a big game after chipping in 13 points and 13 rebounds in the loss. Epps was named to the all-tournament team along with Bulldogs guard Dennis Springs. The Oilers will now face Lynn University, who advanced from South Region, on Wednesday, March 23rd. Information regarding the Elite Eight will be posted on the website when it becomes available.