Northwood eliminates UF women from GMAC tournament

MIDLAND, Mich. – The University of Findlay's women's basketball team got off to a solid start against Northwood in Tuesday's Great Midwest Conference Tournament quarterfinals.The Oilers led the Timberwolves 20-17 after one quarter and 35-31 at the break.But a tough third quarter – Findlay shot just 5-of-19 from the floor in the third quarter and was outscored by seven – proved crucial in a 71-66 loss.Findlay's Kate Ellis – a graduate senior who was playing in her final collegiate game – was brilliant. She made three 3-pointers, grabbed five rebounds and scored a game-high 29 points.Ellis did everything she could to help the Oilers extend their season, which included leading a fourth quarter rally.Northwood scored the final six points of the third quarter to go up 51-48, then went on an 8-2 run to start the fourth. A layup by the Timberwolves Leah Holmes gave Northwood a 61-52 edge with 6:02 remaining.But Findlay's Mackenzie Schulz answered with a 3, then Ellis drove for a three point play to cut Northwood's advantage to 61-58 with 5:12 remaining.The Timberwolves pushed their lead back to 63-58 after free throws by Ella Miller, but a 3 from Hoying cut the UF deficit to just two, 63-61, with 3:07 left.But the Timberwolves were able to take control of the contest at the free throw line. For the game, Northwood was 21-of-25 from the stripe. Findlay was 7-of-10.Maeve St. John was 10-of-12 from the foul line, recorded five steals and three assists and paced Northwood with 22 points. Miller added 15 points and seven rebounds. Lea Holmes registered 13 points for the Timberwolves.Findlay's Alyssa Ziehler notched eight points and a team-best 12 rebounds, while Schulz had nine points for the Oilers.Findlay ended its season 20-10, and improved by six more wins than last season. FINDLAY (20-10) Ellis 10-6—29; Ziehler 4-0—8; Callahan 3-0—7; Hoying 2-0—6; Stanley 1-0—2; Schultz 4-0—9; Freeman 1-1—3; Mescher 1-0—2. TOTALS: 26-67—7-10—66. NORTHWOOD (18-11) St, John 6-10—22; Miller 5-4—15; Voelker 2-3—7; McNealy 1-0---2; Jackson 1-2—5; Bowers 2-1—5; Fellenbaum 1-0—2. TOTALS: 24-59—21-25—71. Findlay 20 15 13 18 – 66 Northwood 17 14 20 20 –71 3-POINT GOALS: Findlay 7-21 (Ellis 3, Hoying 2, Callahan, Schulz); Northwood 2-15 (Miller, Jackson). REBOUNDS: Findlay 40 (Ziehler 12); Northwood 37 (Miller 7) TURNOVERS: Findlay 14; Northwood 9. ELMWOOD HIRES BATES AS FOOTBALL COACH BLOOMDALE – Elmwood has filled its football head coaching vacancy by hiring J.T. Bates to fill the position. Bates, a Health and Physical Education teacher in the Elmwood system, has considerable experience in the area. He was an assistant coach at Elmwood, Fostoria, Tiffin Calvert and Port Clinton, and was head coach at Van Buren from 2017-2021, where he twice guided the Black Knights to playoff appearances. COACH OPENINGS New Riegel is in need of coaches or advisors to fill the following positions for the 2025-26 school year : athletic director, varsity boys basketball coach, junior varsity boys basketball coach, freshman boys basketball coach, co-head coach or assistant varsity/junior high cross country, varsity cheerleading, seventh grade volleyball, eighth grade volleyball, assistant varsity track & field. For more information on any of these positions, please contact Athletic Director Jamie Lininger at jlininger@newriegelschools.org. BOWLING UNITED METHODIST Men's high game: Isaiah Pirani 266 Men's high series: Isaiah Pirani 716 Women's high game: Samantha DeMuth 182 Women's high series: Samantha DeMuth 518