CANTON, Ohio - Senior Joe Graessle became the first player in school history to score 40+ points in a game three times as the Tiffin University men's basketball team (6-10, 2-9 GLIAC) lost 89-84 to Malone (8-7, 6-5 GLIAC), Thursday night at Osborne Hall.

Malone took the early 11-7 lead with 16:30 to go. Tiffin came storming back with a 15-3 run. Sophomore Jonathan Sutherlin slammed home a pass from junior Mike Brown at the 12:08 mark. That put the Dragons up 22-14.

The Pioneers battled back with an 18-8 burst to lead 32-30. Senior Mike Boan tied the game at 32-32 with 4:18 to go. MU finished the half outscoring TU 11-4 to lead by seven.

In the second half, Malone went on an 18-8 tally to lead 61-44 with 13:48 to go. The Pioneers still led by 11 with under five to go when Tiffin made a run. Graessle drained a triple with seven seconds left to close the gap to three, 87-84. MU hit two free throws with three second left to seal the game.

For Tiffin, Graessle had 42 points and was 14-of-19 from the floor, 7-of-8 from the arc and 7-of-8 from the line. It is the third 40+ point game of his career, a school record. Sophomore Khaleal McCormick had 21 points and Sutherlin scored 12.

For Malone, Christian Graves had 19 points and Isiah Elliott had 16 points and eight assists.

Tiffin returns home, Saturday, Jan. 25, taking on Walsh. The game is scheduled to start at 3:00 p.m. Live stats will be available at http://livestats.prestosports.com/tiffin/

-TIFFIN UNIVERSITY-