The Tiffin University men's basketball team (2-6, 0-1 G-MAC) began G-MAC play on Saturday afternoon against Ashland inside the Gillmor Center and was defeated by a score of 79-61.
The Eagles started the game with the ball and opened with a three-pointer which led to the visitors leading the game from start to finish.
Both teams struggled from the floor early on that saw Ashland holding a lead of 6-2 at the first media timeout after the two teams were scoreless over a combined time of 3:08. Two free throws by KJ Pruitt cut the lead to 8-4 but the Eagles responded with an 8-0 run to take a 16-4 with 9:39 remaining in the half.
Ashland started to hit some shots while the Dragons remained cold from the floor, but Tiffin closed the half strong and got free throws by Pruitt, Allen Fordham, and a layup by Dekyre Fuller to get the deficit under 10. Ashland led 31-22 at the break.
Tiffin shot 27 percent in the first half including just 1-of-7 from three-point range but was able to stay in the game by going 9-for-10 at the free throw line.
Fordham cut the deficit to seven, 31-24, with two free throws to begin the second half but the Eagles responded with five straight points to regain their double digit which Ashland would have for the remainder of the game. The Eagles led by as many as 22.
The Dragons shot better from the floor in the second half, but the Eagles were even better and every time the Dragon made a run, Ashland had an answer. Fuller and Jonah Nesmith hammered home dunks for some momentum but each time Ashland had a response. Pruitt, Fordham, and Michael Lucarotti brought the Dragons to within 14, 71-57, with 1:35 left in the game and Tiffin fouled to extend the game, but Ashland put the game away at the free throw line.
Four Dragons finished in double figures led by Pruitt's 15. Fuller finished with 11 points while Lucarotti and Fordham had 10 apiece.
The Dragons remain at home as Thomas More visits the Gillmor Center on Saturday, December 14. The men's game tips off at 1 p.m. with the women's game following at 3 p.m.
