The Dragons (1-0) opened the 2023-24 season with a matchup against McKendree in the G-MAC/GLVC Crossover which ended in a thrilling 68-65 victory.

The Bearcats were more efficient offensively from the floor, completing 54.9 percent of their shots while Tiffin converted 42.6 percent. However, the Dragons shot nearly 43 percent from beyond the arc and got to the charity stripe 16 times, converting 13 free throws.

Following a slow offensive start for both teams, TU trailed by just one point at the half after a buzzer-beating three pointer by Morgan Taylor which made it 34-33.

Still trailing by one with just under 16 minutes left, the Dragons went on a 10-0 run which ended with back-to-back threes by Rhaven Brown and Taylor to earn a nine-point advantage. A three from Brandon Swaby stretched the lead to 10 at 55-45, the largest of the game with 8:30 remaining.

McKendree had one last possession to try and force overtime but was unable to convert the three-pointer at the buzzer as TU earned its first victory of the year.

Taylor led the team with 17 points and four assists. Three other Dragons reached double-digit points including Joshua Rivers (14), Carius Key (13), and Wesley Jordan (12). Both Rivers and Key shot 55 percent from the floor with Key going 3-for-5 from deep.

Rivers and Jordan led the team in rebounds with five each followed by Taylor and Key each with four. Swaby recorded six points and a team-high three steals as well.

Next up, TU will face Lewis University in game two of the G-MAC/GLVC Crossover on November 11th at 1 p.m.