UF hires Sims to lead women's basketball program

FINDLAY – The University of Findlay has hired Bri Sims as its new women's basketball coach. Sims, a native of Shelby, spent the past two seasons as the head coach of Ohio Dominican University. Sims takes over for Michele Durand, who stepped down last week after leading the Oilers for four years. "I'm incredibly honored and excited to join the University of Findlay as the head women's basketball coach," Sims said in a statement from the UF Athletic Department. "Thank you to (Director of Athletics) Jim Givens and everyone else involved at Findlay for entrusting me with the opportunity to lead this program. I cannot wait to get on campus and begin working with some amazing student-athletes. This team will be a positive reflection of the University of Findlay in the community, while also competing at the highest level on the court." Sims became the coach of ODU –which like Findlay, competes in Division II's Great Midwest Athletic Conference – before the 2024-25 season. The Panthers were 26-30 over her two seasons. "When this position opened up and we began putting together a list of candidates, Bri's name quickly rose to the top," Givens said. "I have always been impressed with the way she conducted herself as a visiting coach in Croy, and when we got to speak, her passion for coaching and excitement about the chance to be a member of the Findlay family were evident." Prior to her time at ODU, Sims was the head coach at the University of Dallas, a Division III program that's part of the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference. Sims was named the SCAC Coach of the Year in 2021. Sims was also a graduate assistant at Bluffton University, and played four years at University of Massachusetts Lowell. UF BASEBALL HILLSDALE, Mich. --With the G-MAC North Division tightening up, the University of Findlay was looking for some clutch performances heading into Monday's double header at Hillsdale. The Oilers got them, sweeping the double header with 6-4 and 4-3 wins, and taking three of four games in the weekend series. In the first game, Isaac Ramos doubled and plated two runs, and Oilers relief pitchers Sebastian Stevens and Colin Becker combined to close the game with three innings of scoreless relief. Becker picked up his fifth save of the season. Aiden Kiessling, who started and went four innings, got the win. In the second game, Casey Maruniak blasted his sixth homer of the season, and Nick Palm went 3 for 4 at the plate. Maruniak's two-run blast in the ninth staked the Oilers to a 4-1 lead. Findlay reliever Camdon Tuttle allowed two runs in the bottom of the inning, but was able to hold on to the lead. The Oilers improved to 27-15, 18-6 in conference play. They remain in first place in the North Division. Ashland – which has won seven in a row – is second at 16-8. The Oilers will host Lake Erie for a pair of conference doubleheaders, starting Saturday.