Dragons advance to GMAC Championship game

Tiffin University defeated top-seeded Cedarville to advance to the GMAC title game.
Tiffin University defeated top-seeded Cedarville to advance to the GMAC title game.

Another day, another upset.

Tiffin University (15-8) took on top-seeded Cedarville (19-5) on its home court in the GMAC Semifinals but wasted no time taking control of the game, dominating the paint en route to a 72-56 victory.

The win advances TU to the GMAC Championship game on March 6 at 3 pm against the winner of Kentucky Wesleyan-Findlay. The winner of the championship game gets an Automatic Qualifier into the NCAA Atlantic Regional.

Tiffin took control early, racing out to a 20-13 lead after one quarter. Cedarville pulled to within four at 25-21 with 6:17 left in the first half, but the Dragons countered with a defensive stand that set the tone for the rest of the game.

Tiffin outscored Cedarville 13-4 over the final 6:17 of the second quarter, not allowing a Yellow Jackets field goal at any point in that stretch. Tiffin led 38-25 at the half.

Cedarville could not get on track against TU's stellar defense, which held the Yellow Jackets to just 33 percent shooting from the floor. Tiffin maintained a 12 point throughout the second half, pushing it to 19 points. 

The Dragons shot 54 percent in the game, outrebounded Cedarville 41-28, and outscored them in the paint 46-22.

Aarion Nichols continued her sensational week, capping a First Team selection to the All GMAC team by totaling 22 points with 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Those 22 points also put her over 1000 points in her career, giving her 1004 heading into the title game.

Jada Tate also had 12 points with 7 rebounds, Kirsten Williams had 11 points with 4 boards, Savanah Richards hit double figures with 10 points and 6 rebounds, and Danelle Bradley totaled 9 points and 5 rebounds off the bench.