The Tiffin University men's basketball team (2-10, 0-4 G-MAC) erased an 11-point halftime deficit and a game-high 14-point second-half deficit to force overtime but came up short 87-82 against Ohio Dominican on Saturday afternoon.
The story of the first half was two hot-shooting offenses as both teams shot over 54 percent with the hosts shooting 62 percent from the floor. Ohio Dominican led 47-36 at halftime and the key difference in the first half was the Panthers scoring nine points off seven Tiffin turnovers.
The Dragons started the game with back-to-back layups by Dekyre Fuller and Michael Lucarotti for the early 4-0 lead and Tiffin would not lead again as the Panthers scored the next eight points.
The Dragons got back into the game and cut the lead to single digits with 13:38 remaining following a three-pointer by Jacob Pleiman. Later in the half, a 9-2 run by the Dragons made it a four-point game, 67-63, with 7:48 left.
Back-to-back baskets by Fuller and KJ Pruitt along with one free throw by Pruitt tied the game at 72 with 3:14 remaining. With ODU leading 76-74, they missed the front end of a one-and-one at the free throw line and D'monyae Davis forced overtime with the game-tying layup. On the Panthers' potential game-winning possession, they turned the ball over as Fuller came away with the steal.
On the opening possession of overtime, the Panthers won the jump ball and hit a three-pointer to get the lead and the Dragons were forced to play from behind which proved costly. The Dragons did cut the lead to one three times but weren't able to tie it. Tiffin had the ball with a chance to send it to double overtime trailing 85-82 but Pleiman was whistled for an offensive foul.
Fuller recorded a team-high 22 points, team-high seven rebounds, and team-high two blocks. Both Pruitt and Pleiman finished with 14 points and Allen Fordham added 11 points.
The Dragons conclude their three-game road trip to begin 2025 with a game in Michigan on Thursday, January 9 against Hillsdale. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. following the conclusion of the women's which is slated to tip off at 5:30 p.m.
