SALEM, W.V. - Sophomore Joe Graessle scored 28 points as the Tiffin University men's basketball team (13-13) knocked off Salem International (5-18) 89-80, Thursday night at the T. Edward Davis Gymnasium. It was the third straight win for the Dragons.

Tiffin took it slow and steady for the first part of the game. Freshman Iman Johnson hit a bucket to put the Dragons up 16-9 at the 12:27 mark.

Salem International chipped away at the lead. The Tigers pulled off a 13-6 run. A 3-pointer by Jacob Miller tied the game at 22-22 with 7:10 to go. TU responded with 11 straight points and led by seven at the half.

In the second half, SIU refused to go away. Ray'mar Porter hit a pair of free throws. That cut the margin to one, 41-40 with 17:52 to go. Tiffin responded with a 14-5 run to lead by 10, 55-45 at the 13:59 mark.

Salem International made another run, this one at 8-2. Two free throws made it a four-point game, 57-53 with 11:30 to go. The Dragons scored six straight points and were never headed after that.

For Tiffin, Graessle added eight rebounds and three steals and hit four triples, senior Karl Finley had 17 points and three steals and senior Travis Spahr scored 14 points with 10 rebounds. Senior Keenan Barlow added 12 points.

For Salem International, Kenneth McCornell had 22 points while Walter Brock scored 11 points.

Tiffin closes the non-conference portion of the season, Saturday, Feb. 18 against Malone. The game is scheduled to start at 4:00 p.m.

-TIFFIN UNIVERSITY-