Tiffin University (9-15, 4-13 G-MAC) led by 18 points midway through the third quarter but could not hold the lead, falling in the closing seconds to Ohio Dominican 55-54.
The Dragons opened by taking the first quarter 14-6 and eventually building a 29-19 halftime lead.
A 9-1 run by the Dragons early in the third quarter pushed their lead to 18 points. Tiffin continued to hold the lead, posting a 48-32 lead with 8:00 remaining in the game.
The Panthers suddenly went on an 11-2 run over the next 2:30 to climb to within 5 points. ODU kept chipping away at the lead, finally pulling ahead on free throws 53-52 with 2:10 to play.
Ohio Dominican used a massive advantage at the free throw line to tear down the lead. ODU held a 25-9 edge in points from the line (25 for 36).Â
Trailing by two points with the clock winding down,
Hailey Unger hit a layup that tied the score 54-54 with 9 seconds remaining.
ODU was fouled with one second remaining, allowing the Panthers to hit a free throw that decided the game.
Statistically the game was as close as the score, with ODU holding a 44-34 edge in rebounds.Â
Unger and
Isabelle Niederst both scored 18 points for TU and were the lone Dragons in double figures.
Serenitee Johnson had 7 points with 8 rebounds.
Peyton Magee also had 6 points.
Â
