The Tiffin University men's basketball team (2-8) ended 2024 with a 62-61 loss to Davenport on Saturday afternoon inside the Gillmor Center in a game that was very tight from start to finish.
The game started with two free throws by Dekyre Fuller to put the Dragons up 2-0 and the lead only lasted 17 seconds as Tiffin would not lead anymore. Free throws were the story of the game as the teams combined to shoot 65 and the game didn't have much of a rhythm either as there were a total of 53 fouls called, 23 in the first half and 30 in the second half.
The Panthers went on a 9-0 run that spanned over six minutes to take a 19-8 lead which forced Tiffin to call a timeout. Out of the timeout, the Dragons responded with a 9-0 run of their own that lasted nearly two minutes to get right back in it which made it 19-17 following a successful and-one by D'monyae Davis. The Panthers maintained the lead for the rest of the first half and led 27-19 with 3:37 remaining, but the Dragons finished strong and ended on a 7-2 run to make it 29-26 at halftime.
The Dragons played from behind during the second half and consistently found themselves trailing by 5-7 points. Whenever the Dragons were able to rally to tie it, the Panthers immediately answered. A steal and dunk by Fuller tied it at 49 with 6:44 left and Davenport's Montrel Oliver gave his team the lead right back on the next possession with a made jump shot.
The key plays of the game came within the final 1:07. Fuller tied the game at 57 with a jump shot with 1:07 remaining, but on the next possession Allen Fordham fouled Joey Cabana with 42 seconds remaining and he made both to give the Panthers a 59-57 lead. On Tiffin's next possession, Fuller was fouled but he split the pair to make it 59-58 with 28 seconds left.
The Panthers gave the Dragons life with two missed free throws and Jonah Nesmith's potential game-winning layup was blocked with 10 seconds remaining and the Panthers corralled the loose ball rebound which forced the Dragons to foul. Davenport's Jovan Tucker made both with nine seconds left and on the Dragons ensuing possession, KJ Pruitt tried to find Nesmith in the corner and Davenport's Raishaun Brown intercepted the pass to get the steal. Davenport's Aidan Moon made one free throw with 0.9 seconds remaining to make it 62-58 which officially put the game out of reach for the Dragons. Caleb Bates threw up a half-court prayer as time expired and banked it in to make the final 62-61.
The Dragons left numerous points at the free throw line as they missed 14 in the game (24-of-38) for 63.2 percent. It's the second straight game that the Dragons finished below 65 percent at the charity stripe.
Fuller led the way with 22 points and was the only Dragon to finish in double figures. Fordham finished with nine points and seven rebounds.
The Dragons will be back in action when they begin the new year on Thursday, January 2 at Findlay. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. with the women slated to play first, beginning at 5:30 p.m.
