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The Tiffin University women's basketball team lost a tightly contested game 63-59.

The Panthers won a close game that had 8 lead changes and 7 tied scores. Kentucky Wesleyan shot better from three point range shooting 41.7 percent compared to the Dragons 25 percent. 

With the win, Kentucky Wesleyan improves to 12-4 overall and 12-4 in the conference, and Tiffin drops to 11-6 overall and 11-6 in the conference. 

The Panthers built a 7-2 lead in the first minutes of play, but Tiffin countered with a 5-0 run to tie the game at 7-7. 

The game remained a one-point game for several minutes before a layup from Jasmine Watts gave the Dragons their first lead. However, the Panthers ended the first quarter up 15-14.

Three quick three pointers from Kentucky Wesleyan gave them a 24-16 lead early in the second quarter. The Panthers kept the lead at the half 30-23. 

Tiffin outscored the Panthers in the third quarter, going on a 9-0 run to lead 38-35, but Kentucky Wesleyan scored four unanswered points to end the third quarter up 41-40.

The Dragons went up 47-43 on the back of a 7-2 run. The team traded points until a five-point play by Kaylee Clifford (3 pointer followed by two free throws) gave the Panthers the 58-55 lead.

The Dragons kept the game close and, with 31 seconds remaining, TU had a chance to tie trailing by three points. Savanah Richards's drive in the lane was blocked, however, and, with clutch free throws, the Panthers sealed the 63-59 win. 

Aarion Nichols led the Dragons with 24 points shooting 11-for-20 from the field, with four rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Nichols tied her career high of 24 points that was set on Feb. 13, 2019 against Hillsdale. 

Savanah Richards tallied 12 points, two rebounds, four assists, and three steals, and teammate Jensen Hiegel recorded seven points, six rebounds, and one assist.