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Photos by Ralph Schudel

Do you believe in miracles?

Down 18 points in the NCAA Atlantic Regional Semifinals to No. 2-seed Glenville State with 5:55 left, few saw the turn coming. 

But turn it did.

Tiffin University (18-8) put together a 24-4 run over the remainder of the game, erasing the deficit and posting the biggest win in school history in what will also be remembered as the greatest comeback in Tiffin women's basketball history. 

Final score - Tiffin 85, Glenville State 83.

Tiffin, which had trailed by double digit points for most of the contest, time and again chipped away to climb back within range only to watch the Pioneers put another run together and seemingly pull away for good. 

A total team effort that saw the Dragons outshoot and outrebound the Pioneers eventually paid off, as Glenville State hit a wall in the final 6:00. The Dragons' comeback was complete when Jada Tate hit a pair of free throws to tie it 79-79. It was tied again when Tate hit a jumper to tie it 81-81.

Glenville State hit a layup with 36 seconds left to go ahead 83-81. After a timeout, Aarion Nichols pulled up and hit a jumper with 19 seconds left to tie it again 83-83.

The Pioneers prepared for what they thought would be the game's final shot, but they missed the layup and Nichols grabbed the rebound with 3.2 seconds left on the clock.

One last timeout was called by Head Coach Miriam Justinger. Nichols took the ball, drove right for the layup, and shocked the Pioneers with the bucket. After a quick review by the officials to confirm the shot got off before the buzzer, it was all over.

Statistically the Dragons did many things right, but their one glaring weakness in the game hurt them all night, as they turned the ball over 21 times leading to 35 Glenville State points off turnovers.

Still, TU outshot GSC 48 percent to 42 percent from the floor, 60 percent to 26 percent from three point (6 for 10), and connected on 81 percent of their free throws (13 for 16). They also outrebounded the Pioneers 47-37.

Nichols bounced back from a slow start to finish with 23 points and 9 rebounds while Tate had 12 points with 13 rebounds. 

Savanah Richards had 11 points with 5 boards, and Danelle Bradley had 11 points including 3 for 4 from three point land. Jasmine Watts added 10 points, Kirsten Williams had 8 points with 5 rebounds, and Jensen Hiegel had 7 points.

TU will now take on top-seed Charleston on March 15 at 7 pm in Columbus with a trip to the Elite Eight on the line.