FINDLAY, Ohio — No. 16-ranked Findlay built a 16-0 lead through the first nine minutes of the game and Michigan Tech never recovered in a 79-40 loss in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference men's basketball action today at Croy Gymnasium. The host Oilers blistered the nets for 58 percent shooting and held the Huskies to 32 percent to gain the victory.

Fedrick Bowe proved to be a bright spot for Michigan Tech as the junior tallied a career-high 12 points and a pair of thunderous dunks in his first start of the season. He finished as the only Huskies' player in double figures.

Findlay led by as many as 21 points in the first half. An 8-0 run by Tech off four straight baskets — two from Bowe and two from Don Fowler — cut the margin to 13 with just over three minutes left in the opening stanza. It could have been a 14-point game at the half, but the officials errantly blew the whistle as Brandon Ball was streaking to the basket all alone on a breakaway with four seconds left. Tech was forced to inbound the ball at halfcourt instead, and the margin at halftime was 32-16.

A Ball 3-pointer with 15:53 to play in the second half cut the gap to 41-26, but it was all Findlay from there. The hosts scored the next 11 points to blow the game open. Both teams used their benches liberally for the final 10 minutes of the contest.

Chris Baugh notched five points and a game-high five rebounds for Tech. Post players Steven Waudby and Kyle Pullen also scored points off the bench.

UF held a 29-22 rebounding advantage and also forced 21 Huskies turnovers. Besides a 58 percent mark shooting from the floor, the Oilers connected on 15-of-17 free throws (88 percent).

Michigan Tech (4-5, 1-3 GLIAC) will regroup for a battle against local rival Finlandia Tuesday (Dec. 18). Tipoff at the SDC Gym is set for 7 p.m.