In a high scoring affair that saw the two teams combine for 22 three-pointers and 103 points in the second half, the Tiffin University men's basketball team (4-14, 2-8 G-MAC) dropped an 87-79 decision on Saturday against Walsh at the Gillmor Center.
D'monyae Davis and DJ Gooden knocked down back-to-back threes to give the Dragons a 12-11 lead with 13:39 left in the first half and that ended up being Tiffin's only lead of the game which lasted 22 seconds. The Cavaliers scored on their next possession to take the lead back and that catapulted into an 8-0 run. The run gave Walsh a seven-point lead and they led by as many as eight in the opening period. Walsh led 35-28 at halftime.
Both teams shot better than 55 percent from the floor in the second half in an offensive shootout that saw Walsh win the second half scoring battle, 52-51. Midway through the period, the Cavaliers expanded their lead to 14, their largest of the game. The two teams would then trade three-pointers for the next few minutes as the visitors maintained their double-digit lead.
With Walsh leading 74-61 with 6:11 left, the Dragons' duo of Dekyre Fuller and John Muhammad combined for 11 straight points to make it a two-point game with 3:42 remaining. On Walsh's next possession, they made a layup to halt any further momentum from the Dragons and that proved to be a big bucket as Tiffin was unable to get any closer for the final few minutes. TU had a chance to tie the game at 76, but DJ Gooden's three-point attempt was off the mark and following two offensive rebounds on Walsh's next possession, they converted another huge three-pointer to lead 79-73 with 1:34 left. In the final minute, Walsh made 8-of-10 free throws.
For the game, Walsh had an advantage in three-pointers made (13-9) and free throws made (16-8).
Gooden led the team in scoring with 18 and Davis finished with 15 points. Also finishing in double figures were Fuller and Muhammad with 14 and 13, respectively. KJ Pruitt finished with six points and five assists while Caleb Bates had six points and six rebounds. Jonah Nesmith blocked two shots.
The Dragons continue their homestand on Thursday, January when Ohio Dominican visits the Gillmor Center. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
