The men's basketball season got off to an exciting but disappointing start for the Dragons, falling to the Alderson Broaddus Battlers 85-79 in overtime.
Tiffin got out to an early lead in the 1st half, extending their lead to as much as five points. Tiffin's defensive pressure forced the Battlers into seven turnovers, aiding the Dragons' offense. Tiffin, clinging to a 24-20 lead, surrendered a 6-0 run to give Alderson Broaddus a 26-24 lead. Tiffin came right back down the floor to tie the game at 26-26 on a Mohamed Rage jumper. The Battlers kept momentum on their side late in the half, riding an 11-7 run to a 37-33 halftime lead.
At the break, Tiffin was shooting 37.9% from the field, 67% from the free throw line, and were 3 of 5 from beyond the arc. Tony Kynard led Tiffin in scoring at the half, netting nine points on 4 of 4 shooting from the field. Tiffin was careful with the ball in the 1st half, committing only two turnovers.
Alderson Broaddus stayed hot after the half, stringing together a 9-2 run to boost their lead to 11 at 46-35. With the Battlers out to their largest lead of the game, Tiffin started the climb back, and regained the lead at 53-52 with 09:52 remaining.
The game remained tight, with neither side extending a lead past five points. With 01:43 left, Ellis Williams drained a free throw to give Tiffin a 70-67 lead. A quick Battlers' bucket made it a 70-69 lead for Tiffin. With the Dragons in the bonus, Tony Kynard went to the free throw line and sank 1 of 2 throws to put the Dragons up 71-69 with 16 seconds left. Alderson Broaddus rebounded Kynard's missed attempt and raced down the floor, hitting a game tying layup as time expired.
In the overtime, Juwan Johnson's three point bucket put the Dragons up 74-71. Alderson Broaddus scored four points in 41 seconds to take a one point lead with 03:17 remaining. Tony Kynard drove to the bucket and gave Tiffin a 79-78 lead with a layup with 47 seconds left. With a slim lead, Tiffin needed a defensive hold, but were unable to find it as the Battlers sank a three to regain the lead and escape with an 85-79 win.
For the game, Tiffin shot 39.7% from the field, 41.7% from three and 67% from the charity stripe. The Dragons were held in check on the boards, being out rebounded 45-30. TU's defense forced 20 Battlers' turnovers, leading to 30 Tiffin points.
Individually, Tony Kynard poured in 25 points for Tiffin on 10-19 shooting. Alex Brown added 15 points, and Juwan Johnson chipped in with a dozen. Off the bench, Austin Adams scored 10 points, added three rebounds and swiped two steals.