The Tiffin University men's basketball team fell 88-81 to conference rival Findlay with four Dragons hitting double-digit points.
The Oilers improve to 9-5 overall and 3-3 in the conference, while the Dragons fall to 5-8 overall and 1-5 in the conference.
By the numbers Tiffin fared well shooting 30-for-69 (43.5%) from the field and 8-for-15 from beyond the arc (32%), while the Oilers shot 32-for-62 (52.6%) from the field and 7-for-21 (33.3%) from three. The Oilers led in four categories; rebounding, outrebounding Tiffin 39-31, assists, registering 19 compared to the Dragons 12, shooting percentage 51.6 to 43.5, and points off turnovers with Findlay scoring 14 points off turnovers compared to the Dragons' 12. Tiffin led in forced turnovers 16-11, second-chance points 15-7, fast break points 17-6, and bench points where Tiffin bench scored 38 points compared to 18 points for the host.
The Oilers came out of the gate strong scoring two straight buckets to lead 4-0, but the Dragons countered with a three from Dalaino Walker to bring the score to 4-3. The two teams traded points tying three more times, but Findlay was able to string a 4-0 run together to lead 15-11 at the 12:12 mark.
Tiffin cut the deficit to one with a three pointer by Devaughn Munson to bring the score to 15-14. Over the next five minutes the Oilers went on a 12-6 run to lead 27-20 at the 7:59 mark. The Dragons countered with a 7-2 run to come within two of the host at 29-27 with 4:58 left in the first half. The host rallied ending the half on a 13-6 run to lead 42-33 at halftime.
The Dragons stayed with the Oilers for the opening minutes of the second half until Findlay went on a 4-0 run to increase the lead to 14 points at 61-46 with 13:43 in the game. The Dragons chipped away at the lead, bringing the score to 64-53 with 11:16 left. The Oilers countered with a 9-3 run to lead 73-56 at the 8:10 mark.
A quick tactical move changing to a zone defense let the defense make a stand over the next five minutes as the Dragons went on a 15-5 run to cut the deficit to seven at 78-71 with 3:41 left in the game. With time running out the Dragons could not stop Joey Edmonds from shooting 2-for-2 from three down the stretch to keep the Oilers' lead at a two-possession game. Tiffin's late surge was not enough as the Oilers went 4-for-4 from the charity stripe to win 88-81.
Luke Johnson led the Dragons off the bench scoring 24 points shooting 11-for-14, nine rebounds including five offensive rebounds, three assists, and one steal, Trent Williams registered 16 points shooting 5-for-14 from the field and 3-for-7 from long, four rebounds, two assists, and one steal, Morgan Taylor tallied 13 points shooting 4-for-10 from the field, grabbed five rebounds, four assists, and one steal and Tanner Johnson had 10 points shooting 3-for-11 from the field, 2-for-6 from three, had four rebounds, two steals, and one block.