To say Tiffin University's women's basketball team got off to a bad start against Ashland would be an understatement. The Dragons would put together some runs during the game, but could never pull themselves out of an early 13 point hole, falling to Ashland 65-53.

After the tipoff, TU fell behind 13-0 with 15:51 remaining in the first half in a stretch that saw the Dragons turn the ball over five times to go along with a 0-3 shooting start from the field. The Dragons got on the scoreboard with 15:24 remaining when Jessica Harris scored off a Melissa Gilliland pass.

The Dragons still trailed by 13 with 1:42 in the half but a 6-0 run over the remaining time cut the Eagles lead to 7 at the break. Trailing 32-19 Karli Mast made a three on an assist from Stephanie Kelly. Mandy Jaeb then made a layup, drawing a foul in the process. After she made the free throw the Dragons trailed 32-25 at the break.

However, the Dragons could not keep the momentum as they came out for the second half. Ashland and TU traded buckets to start the half, but a 13-5 run over the next eight minutes would put the Dragons behind 47-32.

TU didn't quit though. Trailing by 12 with 6:38 to play, Jordan Jenkins hit a three pointer to cut the lead to 9. Mast then turned a steal into two free throws to bring the Dragons to within 7 before an Ashland bucket that took the Eagles lead back to nine. But the Dragons went on a 5-0 run when Kelly hit a three pointer and Katrina Clark hit a jumper to make it 54-50 Ashland with 5:04 remaining.

The next possession would prove to be the knockout blow Ashland was looking for. After the Dragons forced Elizabeth Tyler to miss a quick three, Tyler got her own rebound and made a layup. The Dragons did get the lead back down to five with 1:42 left to play, but Ashland scored the last seven points to seal the 65-53 win.

Jaeb scored a team high 21 points on her way to being the only Dragon to reach double figures. Mast added nine points and three assists while Jessica Harris led the Dragons with nine rebounds along with scoring six points.

The Dragons forced the Eagles into 21 turnovers while only committing 16, but the Eagles owned a 43-30 advantage on the glass.

The loss drops TU to 3-4 (1-2 GLIAC) while improving Ashland to 3-3 (1-2). The Dragons will travel to Lake Superior State next Saturday in another GLIAC game.