Slow 2nd Half Sinks Tiffin

Tristan Popa scored six points in Tiffin's 80-55 loss to Ferris State University.
Tristan Popa scored six points in Tiffin's 80-55 loss to Ferris State University.

The Tiffin University men's basketball team hung tough with the #3 team in the nation for the 1st half, trailing only 40-34 at halftime, but a 21-4 run by Ferris State to start the 2nd half put the game out of reach, as the Bulldogs won 80-55.

The Dragons didn't back down in the 1st half, leading for almost six minutes of game time. TU was aggressive on the boards, holding a 19-11 boarding advantage. The Dragons were steady from deep as well, hitting 5 of 10 three-point attempts while knocking down 45.2% of their field goal attempts. The offensive play of Justin Miller kept Tiffin on the Bulldogs' tail, scoring nine points on 3 of 5 shooting from the field. The Dragons headed to the halftime locker room trailing 40-36.

The Bulldogs got off their leash at the start of the 2nd half, bounding ahead on a 21-4 run to put Tiffin behind the eight ball. Ferris State hit 48.5% of their field goals in the half, and held Tiffin to only 21 points on 35.7% shooting from the field. The rebounding advantage Tiffin had in the opening half evaporated as the Bulldogs out rebounded Tiffin 18-13 in the 2nd half, leading to a 12-4 advantage in 2nd chance points and an 80-55 victory for Ferris State.

Tiffin was led by Justin Miller's 11 points on 50% shooting from the field. 

The Dragons fall to 7-16 overall and 3-12 in the GLIAC.