TIFFIN, Ohio - Tiffin men's basketball kept within reach throughout the whole game against GMAC Preseason Poll favorite Walsh on Saturday, but could not surge past the Cavaliers as they fell 81-70.

The Dragons shot well (44.6%) from the floor, but Walsh made 25-56 (55.7%) of their shots including 46.7% from deep. The game was played very well offensively on both sides, with Tiffin turning the ball over just 10 times compared to 12 for the Cavaliers.

Tiffin also had the advantage in points off turnovers (13-7) and fastbreak points (15-3).

Four Dragons were in double figures, led by 19 from Joshua Williams. Trent Williams went 5-9 from deep for 15 points, while Jairus Stevens was next with 13 points and a team-high seven rebounds. Thomas Hickman also contributed 11 points off the bench for Tiffin.

Tiffin had a great start to the game, scoring the first 11 points on three buckets from Stevens, a pair of free throws by Josh Williams, and a three from Eric Turner. 

However, Walsh responded with 12-straight points of their own to take a one-point lead with 10:04 to play in the opening half. Josh Williams temporarily took back the lead with a jumper, but Walsh then went on a 14-5 run to go up 26-18 at the 4:57 mark.

The Dragons cut the deficit to five late in the half, but the Cavaliers earned a last-second triple off of a goaltend to go into the break with a 36-28 advantage.

Tiffin would not let the game slip away, though, quickly cutting the Walsh lead back down to three early in the second half. Walsh would not relinquish the lead, however, keeping it between three and eight points for much of the rest of the game.

After a Trent Williams three made it a five-point game, 72-67, with 4:01 to play, Walsh converted opportunites down the stretch to outscore Tiffin 9-3 over the final four minutes for the victory.

Tiffin will look to grab their first GMAC win of the young season when they host Malone on Monday at 7:30 p.m. in what will be the final home event on Tiffin's campus in 2019.