The Tiffin University men's basketball team (4-7, 0-4 G-MAC) opened 2026 with a 79-59 loss at Lake Erie on Saturday afternoon.
Trailing by just two at halftime, the Dragons were outscored 43-25 in the second half and were also –24 from three-pointer range, with the Storm making 10 from downtown compared to Tiffin's two makes.
The Dragons shook off a quick 7-0 deficit to start, and a 6-0 run gave Tiffin their first lead of 20-17 on a three-pointer by TJ Pangonas with just under seven minutes left in the opening half. Both teams traded buckets and a layup by Jonah Nesmith tied the game at 26 with 4:16 left.
Tiffin momentarily retook the lead at the 2:52 mark on two free throws by Marquel Newsome, and the Dragons never led again and trailed 36-34 at the break.
A mini 5-0 run cut a 10-point deficit to five with 12:29 left in the game, but the Dragons couldn't get any closer and trailed by double digits for the final 10:31.
Nesmith and Demar Burton finished in double figures with 14 and 11, respectively. Burton and KJ Pruitt grabbed four rebounds each, and Pruitt scored four in his first game back from injury. D'monyae Davis chipped in with nine points.
