FINDLAY, Ohio - After battling back in the Quarterfinal matchup on Tuesday against Ohio Dominican, it was a different story on Friday for the G-MAC Men's Basketball Semifinal against the Findlay Oilers, the number two seed for the tournament.

Walsh led for over 39 minutes as they controlled the game, leading to an 81-72 win over the Oilers at Niekamp Arena. Walsh advanced to the G-MAC Final Saturday for the second straight year. 

Mark Mokros opened the game with a four-point play as Walsh jumped out to a 4-0 lead. Findlay tied the game at seven all before Walsh went on a 19-4 run over eight minutes. The run opened Walsh's largest lead of the night at 15 in the first half. The Cavaliers kept momentum as they walked into the visiting locker room at halftime with a 39-32 advantage. Findlay closed the gap to three, just two minutes into the second half but that was as far as Findlay would get. Walsh answered every punch Findlay threw and was able to move on to the final with an 81-72 win over the Oilers. 

Mark Mokros nailed seven three pointers and two free throws in a 23-point effort. Darryl Straughter converted six free throws as he finished with 15 points, six rebounds and four assists. Christian Montague went for 20 point and a career-high 11 rebounds. Caleb Canter (eight points, eight rebounds), JT Shumate (six points, five rebounds) and Mark Kostelac (six points, six rebounds) all added efforts on the scoring end and rebounding front. 

Walsh shot 51.9% for the game, while making 42% of three point shots and 73% from the free throw line. 

The Cavaliers will play the #8-seeded Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers on Saturday (March 7) at 2:00 PM. 

-WC-