Second Half Surge Pushes Dragons Past UIS

Jada Tate registered a double-double in the win over non-conference opponent UIS.
Jada Tate registered a double-double in the win over non-conference opponent UIS.

The Tiffin University women's basketball team (2-0, 0-0 GMAC) defeated Illinois-Springfield 59-55.

TU shot better from the field, shooting 37.5 percent compared to UIS's 28.6 percent, as well as outrebounding the Prairie Stars 47-37, and had eight steals compared to one for UIS.

UIS started strong, going on a 6-2 run to start the game, but Tiffin responded with a 5-3 run to cut the lead down to 9-7. The Prairie Stars continued shooting lights out from beyond the arc and led 18-8 after quarter number one.

The Prairie Stars scored the first five points to open the second quarter, then the Dragons went on an 8-2 run to cut into UIS lead. Each team scored 17 points in the second quarter to give UIS a 35-25 lead into the break.

Tiffin came out on fire in the second half as they went on a 16-3 run to take a 41-38 lead with 2:09 in the third. The Dragons outscored the Prairie Stars 17-6 in the third to lead 42-41.

Tiffin built up a 54-49 lead in the first five minutes of play in the final quarter. UIS had a late 6-5 run in the closing minutes but the Dragons held on to the lead to win 59-55.

Savanah Richards led the Dragons with 15 points shooting 6-for-12 from the field, seven rebounds, four assists, and one steal, Jada Tate registered a double-double with 13 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block, and Kaitlyn Moeller had eight points, shooting 3-for-4, three steals, and one rebound.