The Tiffin University men's basketball team entered a hostile environment on Thursday night, and walked right through the eye of the Storm, coming out on top 64-63 with a last second victory.
An Alex Brown layup was the first punch landed in the contest, but Lake Erie returned the favor jumping out to a 11-4 lead at the 15:30 mark in the 1st half. The lead the Storm once possessed evaporated in a little over four minutes, with Alex Brown putting Tiffin on top 16-14. The Storm regained control leading by five, but a Tony Kynard layup with two seconds left cut the Dragons deficit to three at the intermission.
At the break, the Dragons were led by Juwan Johnson and Alex Brown with six points each. The Dragons held a commanding 27-15 lead on the boards, but 1st half turnovers hurt the Dragons. TU's 10 miscues led to 11 Lake Erie points.
The 2nd half was as hotly contested as they come, with the Dragons tying the score at 29-29 just 43 seconds into the half with a Juwan Johnson three point bucket. The Dragons stepped on the gas early, using a 11-3 run to lead 41-32 with 12:37 remaining. Tiffin continued to bang the drum, vaulting ahead 50-35 at the 9:37 mark.
The Storm, looking like a passing shower, thundered back from long distance. Lake Erie pulled within a basket with 1:51 remaining on a Trey Howard three point bucket. The Dragons, holding a 62-61 lead, committed its 18th turnover, leading to two Trey Howard free throws to give the Storm its first lead since the 18:17 mark early in the 2nd half. Tiffin's Juwan Johnson rushed down the floor, and drove deep into the post, but was cut off. With Johnson trapped in front of the bucket, Juwan lifted a high arcing prayer that fell perfectly through the iron with seven seconds left, pushing the Dragons through the Storm, 64-63.
The Dragons were led by Juwan Johnson with 22 points on 8 of 14 shooting. Alex Brown added 11 points and 7 rebounds and Tony Kynard chipped in with 10 points. Chrisean Marsden controlled the post with a double-double, grabbing a career high 15 rebounds while adding 10 points. Tiffin limited the Storm's 2nd chance opportunities, holding a 49-28 rebounding advantage.
The Dragons, having won three straight GLIAC games, move to 10-10 overall and 6-7 in GLIAC play.