The Tiffin University men's basketball team (0-1) opened the season at home on Friday afternoon with a 63-44 loss to McKendree. With the Dragons trailing by four at halftime, the Bearcats outscored Tiffin by 15 (35-20) in the second half to get the win.  

McKendree opened the game with three and never trailed in the game. The lone tie in the game came on a Jonah Nesmith three-pointer that made the game 5-5. The Dragons trailed by as many as nine in the half but a free throw and layup by Jacob Pleiman brought the Dragons' deficit from seven to four going into the break.  

A few early turnovers for the Dragons in the second half allowed the Bearcats to build a 13-point lead. McKendree led as many as 21 in the game as they extended their second-half lead. The Dragons could not get baskets to fall, shooting just 33 percent in the second half, converting 6 of 18 attempts.  

The Bearcats were a force in the paint, scoring 36. Tiffin only made 14 field goals in the game for 34 percent while the Bearcats made 23 for 47 percent.  

Nesmith led the team with nine points and Pleiman had eight. D'monyae Davis had 6 points. KJ Pruitt grabbed 6 rebounds and Ethan Damerum had 4 assists.