Tiffin University (5-6, 2-3 GMAC) battled throughout a close game against 9th-ranked Ashland, coming up just short in the final period in a 68-61 defeat.

Tiffin came out of the gates hot, jumping out to an 8-2 lead. Ashland battled back but did not take the lead until 1:56 left in the first quarter after an 11-3 run put them ahead. They finished the period with a narrow 17-15 lead.

Things stayed in the second quarter, with Ashland holding a slim 11-9 edge to lead to a 28-24 halftime lead.

TU won the third period, outscoring AU 19-17 to stay within 45-43, but Ashland made its run at the start of the fourth quarter.

The Eagles opened on an 11-4 run that put them up 56-47 with 6:00 left. The Dragons continued to claw their way back into it, putting together a 12-8 run that brought them to with 64-59 with 41 seconds remaining, but the Dragons could get no closer.

Ashland hit their free throws, holding an 11-5 margin over TU, while also outscoring the Dragons 17-11 on points off turnovers and 18-2 off the bench. Overall they outshot TU 52 percent to 47 percent.

Aarion Nichols led the Dragons with 22 points and 11 rebounds, while Jada Tate also put in 14 points with 4 assists. Dana Rose also landed in double figures with 13 points and 5 rebounds. Kirsten Williams also totaled 7 points.