Tiffin University (6-7) used a crushing pressure defense to amass a huge first half lead on visiting Carlow University, leading to a big 111-83 victory in the Gillmor Center.
The game started closely, with the two teams tied 7-7 after the first five minutes. But the Dragons started to wear down the Celtics, using multiple presses to build their lead. They outscored Carlow 15-7 over the next five minutes, then turned on the gas, blasting past the Celtics over the final 10 minutes of the half by a 40-16 margin.
TU used a 16-4 run midway through the first half to push their lead out to 21 points, then closed out the half on another 13-2 run to give themselves a whopping 62-30 halftime lead.
At the half, TU had forced 12 turnovers leading to a 15-3 advantage in points off turnovers. They also used a deep bench, rotating numerous players into the lineup in keeping up the intensity. TU outscored Carlow 33-10 at the half off the bench.
TU continued to bear down defensively coming out of the halftime lockerroom, starting the half on a 21-0 run that pushed their lead to 53 points.
The Dragons, who led by as much as 55 points midway through the second half, played 14 players in the game, with 12 of them scoring. Six players reached doubles figures.
Tony Kynard scored 19 points, 17 in the first half. Austin Adams and Juwan Johnson each had 16 points, with Adams grabbing 6 rebounds and Johnson drilling 5 of 6 trey attempts.
Brandon Wilkins followed with 14 points and 5 rebounds, while Khaleal McCormick and Travon Howard had 11 apiece. Ellis Williams chipped in 8 points with 7 rebounds. Alex Brown also led the way with 8 assists.
Overall TU shot 48 percent in the game (61 percent in the first half). They outrebounded Carlow 45-38 and held a huge 25-7 edge at the free throw line. Overall Tiffin sank 25 of 30 foul shots.
TU also shot 50 percent from three point on 12 of 24 shooting and forced 17 turnovers. They tallied 26 points off Carlow miscues and also held a 40-28 edge in the paint along with 63 points from their bench.