Tiffin University men's basketball (5-16, 3-10 G-MAC) kept it close with Kentucky Wesleyan for the majority of the first half, but the Panthers went on a run to close the first half and had a big second half as the Dragons fell in game one of their Kentucky trip, 84-70.   

Both teams shot the ball well in the first half that saw an offensive onslaught by both sides to start. Caleb Bates provided a big spark for the Dragons in the first half and knocked down a three on the opening possession. That was just the start of a fast start for both teams as the opening period featured three ties and seven lead changes. 

With 5:49 remaining in the first half, a layup by DJ Gooden tied the game at 30 and with 5:20 left, a three by D'monyae Davis gave Tiffin a 33-32 lead and that was the last time the Dragons led. Following that bucket, the Dragons suffered another end of half scoring drought. Tonight saw the Panthers close on a 15-2 run over the final 5:20 and the Dragons were held without a basket for the final 3:05.  

Kentucky Wesleyan carried that momentum into the second half and four minutes in extended their lead to 16 which forced a Tiffin timeout. With 10:10 left in the game, the Panthers led by 21, their biggest of the game. The Dragons put together an 8-0 run to make it a 10-point game with 2:08 left but couldn't get any closer.  

Gooden had another big night, finishing with 20 points, five rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Bates scored all 12 of his points in the first half and Allen Fordham also had 12 points. Dekyre Fuller had eight points, two rebounds, and two assists. KJ Pruitt had a team-high five assists.