Dragon Comeback Falls Short against McKendree

Dragon Comeback Falls Short against McKendree

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Tiffin women's basketball outscored McKendree by 12 in the fourth quarter, but it wasn't enough as the Bearcats defeated the Dragons 84-77 on day two of the Prairie Stars Tipoff Classic.

Tiffin was able to get to the free throw line often in the game, making 23 of 30 (76.7%) as a team. The Dragon bench also vastly outperformed the Bearcat reserves, outscoring them to the tune of 41 to 21.

Danelle Bradley had a breakout game for TU, going 4-5 from deep and scoring 18 points while adding five rebounds and three assists.

Jasmine Watts had 15 points and six rebounds, while Aarion Nichols tallied 16 points, five rebounds, and four assists. Jada Tate also had a good game down low, pulling down six boards and adding nine points.

McKendree couldn't miss in the first half, jumping out to a 47-27 lead after the first 20 minutes.

The third quarter was more even as the Bearcats still held a 19 point advantage heading into the final period. 

The Dragons started putting a few runs together early in the fourth, starting with a Jessica Chase triple and pair of free throws from Nichols to cut the deficit to 16. 

Tiffin cut the McKendree lead to 11 with 5:44 on the clock after five-straight free throws, but the Bearcats responded with a triple to end the run.

The deficit would dip below double digits with 1:02 remaining as Nichols sunk a jumper to make it 79-71, and a Watts layup with 40 seconds left brought Tiffin within eight.

It was too little, too late, though as McKendree added a free throw before the final buzzer to take the seven-point victory.

Tiffin will now return home for a pair of games next week as they host Mount Vernon Nazarene on Tuesday and Wright State-Lake on Thursday.