Somehow, the Dragons found a way. This time it just took an extra five minutes.
Tiffin University (11-3, 6-2 GLIAC) withstood a late seven-point deficit, an uncharacteristic 19 turnovers, and a grueling overtime period to post a gutsy 89-82 win on the road at Hillsdale (5-8, 2-5).
After the Chargers maintained a narrow lead throughout most of the first half, the Dragons entered halftime down 32-28. A total of 11 TU turnovers gave the Chargers the slight edge, but the Dragons bounced back in the second half, taking the lead three minutes into the half and holding a slim lead for most of the half.
With 5:30 left in regulation, Hillsdale made their move. They posted a 7-0 run over a 90 second span to take a 66-59 lead with 4:05 to play.
Then Mandy Jaeb took over.
Jaeb went nuts over the final 4:05, totaling 11 points over that span including 6-for-6 at the line, a trey, a steal, a key offensive rebound, and a layup with 3 seconds left that forced the game to overtime tied 72-72.
TU wasted little time making a statement in the extra five minutes, opening on an 8-1 run to take a 80-73 lead with 2:50 to play. But this time it was a different Dragons player stepping to the fore.
Jessica Harris totaled 10 points in the overtime, as TU outscored Hillsdale 17-10 to secure the win. With TU holding a slim 84-82 lead with 40 seconds left, Harris buried a shot and drew the foul, completing the three-point play to put TU up 87-72 with 20 ticks left.
Karli Mast then made a key steal and buried two free throws with 8 seconds left to put the victory in the Dragons' pockets.
TU improved their shooting throughout the game, finishing with a 50-39 percent field goal advantage. They also drilled 47 percent of their treys (9 of 19) while scorching the nets on 16 of 19 shooting at the charity stripe.
Mast led the Dragons with 22 points, while Jaeb had 19 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals. Harris totaled 14 points and 9 rebounds with 4 assists, while Holly Focke also had a great game with 9 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists. Amanda Baute followed with 9 points and 4 rebounds.
