INDIANAPOLIS - Tiffin women's basketball fell into an early 13-point deficit at the end of the first quarter against the University of Indianapolis on Sunday afternoon, and were not able to climb back out of the hole as the fell to the Greyhounds 90-78.
With the loss, the Dragons fall to 2-3 on the season heading into conference play that begins on Thursday.
Ali Schirmer paced Tiffin by going 8-12 from the field and 5-8 from deep to tally 21 points along with five assists. Allie Miller also knocked down five threes for a season-high 15 points, while Jensen Hiegel (14) and Annie Santucci (10) also finished in double figures for the Dragons.
As a team, TU shot relatively well from the field (49.2%) and from deep (46.7%), but were unable to overcome a blistering output by the host Greyhounds. UIndy made 61.5% of their shots on the afternoon, including 9 of 12 (75%) from beyond the arc. The Greyhounds also held an advantage from the charity stripe, converting 17 free throws while the Dragons made two of only four attempted.
Tiffin was also outrebounded 37-22 in the contest, and outscored in the paint by a 40-26 margin.
The game began very even, with neither team holding a lead of more than two points over the first seven minutes as the score was tied at 18 at the 3:35 mark of the first quarter. However, UIndy then caught fire, scoring the next nine unanswered and going on a 15-2 run to extend their lead to 33-20 at the end of the opening period.
The Dragons responded well to begin the second quarter, as a Schirmer three, Sarah Cummings two, and Miller three sandwiched around a Greyhound bucket cut the deficit to just seven, 35-28, with 7:48 remaining in the half. Indianapolis was able to weather the comeback attempt and grow their lead once more, though, taking a 53-39 advantage into the break.
The Greyhounds would lead by as much as 20 during the third period before entering the final 10 minutes with a 77-60 lead. Tiffin scored the first six points of the fourth, as a Hiegel jumper cut the deficit to just 10, 77-67, with 5:31 remaining in the game.
That was as close as TU would come, though, as UIndy built their lead back up around 15 before settling for the 12-point victory.
As mentioned, Tiffin now looks ahead to opening Great Midwest Athletic Conference action later this week, hosting G-MAC preseason co-favorites Findlay and Hillsdale on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. and Saturday at 1:00 p.m., respectively. Thursday's matchup with Findlay will be the annual Make-A-Wish game, so come out and support the Dragons along with a great cause!