Wayne State Catches Dragons on Fire

Tiffin University's (2-23) defense let them down again allowing the Wayne State Warriors to shoot a blistering 60% from the field. Wayne State had their way with the Dragons soft defense, especially in the paint. Turnovers were also a key apart to the loss, as Tiffin turned the ball over 17 times with the Warriors only committing 9 turnovers. TU kept the score somewhat close only down 39-29 at half, but the Warriors scored 52 points in the second half with the final being 91-74. Rafeal Cuellar led the Dragons with 15 points and 9 rebounds. Kennan Barlow had 14 points and Brian Scott and DeAngelo Jordan chipped in 13. The Dragons have had an even scoring attack having three different players (Scott, Jordan, Cuellar) lead the team in scoring these last few games, but have failed to hold their opponent to easy buckets. If the Dragons increase their defensive intensity down the stretch, the Dragons could still end the season on a high note.

Dragons Back to Losing Ways

The Tiffin Dragons (2-21, 1-17 GLIAC) coming hot off of their win against Lake Superior State, lose a tough one to the Saginaw Valley Cardinals, 69-55. The Dragons had a late lead but could not put the Cardinals away as they went on a 12-2 run to put Tiffin away. The Dragons, as usual, fell into an early deficit trailing by ten and could not dig themselves out of that hole. Tiffin did lead 30-24 at half, but had a defensive let down in the second half.

Brian Scott and DeAngelo Jordan led the Dragons with 11 points each. Mohammed Fall finished just shy of a double-double chipping in 9 points and 11 rebounds. The Dragons next game is Thursday at home against Northwood. Tiffin has had many games in which they have hung tough but fail to close out. The Dragons can look to close out the season on a high note, finishing with a 3 game win streak and prepare for next year.

Dragon's Break Losing Streak!

The Tiffin Dragons (2-20) put on a clinic defeating the Lake Superior State Lakers, 89-83. The Dragons had 6 players reach double digit wins to break the 18 game losing streak, and look to finish the season on a high note with 5 games left. The high scorer of the game was Deangelo Jordan, who comes of a hot game of 32 points against Northern Michigan, pacing the Dragons with 22 points. Also scoring in double figures was Rafael Cuellar with 14 points, Brian Scott had 17, Mohammed Fall dropped in 12 and also had 10 rebounds. Keenon Barlow also chipped in 14 points and 5 assists with Travis Spahr hitting the 10 point mark.

The Lakers started a hot shooting night shooting 60% from the first half, but got cold shooting 35% due to the Dragons suffocating defense. The Dragons posted their best shooting percentage of the year finally putting together a 52% night from the floor. This was a hard fought victory for Tiffin as there was 12 ties and 13 lead changes.

Tiffin has Disappointing Road Trip

The Dragons traveled to Michigan Tech and Northern Michigan for their most recent road trip. Tiffin held another half time lead by coming out hot to start the game, but failed to close out the Michigan Tech Huskies. The Dragons led 25-19 but came out in the second half cold for a second straight time shooting 27%. Brian Scott led Tiffin with 14 points and 10 points from DeAngelo Jordan. Mohammad Fall chipped in 10 rebounds as well.

In the game against the Northern Michigan Wildcats, a 32 point night by DeAngelo Jordan was wasted losing 82-72. The Dragons were down as much as 27 but fought back in the second half to bring it to a 9 point game. Along with Jordan's 32 points he was able to grab 9 boards. Brian Scott had 14 points and Keenon Barlow finished with 9. The Dragons have had some close games in their last three contests but have failed to shoot a consistent percentage and close out games. If the Dragons continue their improvement over their last 6 games of the season, they have a chance to win out and redeem a disappointing season.

Player Profile: Keenan Barlow

A new face to the Tiffin University Dragons basketball team is #34, Keenan Barlow. Keenon is a 6'5 sophomore forward from Indianapolis, Indiana. He attended Cathedral High School where he was coached under Scott Hicks. In high school, Barlow averaged 12 points and 8 rebounds a game and was 1st Team All City, as well as Honorable Mention All State. After two years at Indiana State, one year as a red shirt, Keenon decided to make the trip to Tiffin University. His father, Ken Barlow played at Notre Dame and was a first round draft pick by the Los Angles Lakers while playing 13 seasons overseas in Italy.

Keenon has started 20 of 21 games this season and is averaging 10 points and close to 5 rebounds a game. He is shooting 44% from the field while also shooting 40% from the 3 point line. Also, he is second on the team in steals with 21, only one behind teammate DeAngelo Jordan.

Tiffin Dragons vs New Jersey Nets?

This year it is no secret that the Tiffin University men's basketball team has struggled. With a new coach and several new players, it is no surprise, but even with the lows, they can compare to an NBA team with the same problem; the New Jersey Nets. The Nets got off to a sluggish start and posted a 4-46 record this season. They have fired their head coach, Lawrence Frank, and have a core of young players featuring young star and All-Star Devin Harris, rookie Terrence Williams, Yi Jianlian, and one year pros Chris-Douglas Roberts and Brook Lopez. This team, even though struggling this year, may be a dominant force for years to come.

This same thought could be for the 1-20 Dragons. It is no easy task to win in the GLIAC, especially with a new team and a new coach. Coach John Hill, brought in many new faces to the program, only returning two key players from the past year in Brian Scott and Rafael Cuellar. Hill brought in transfers Brandon Harris, Keenan Barlow, and DeAngelo Jordan along with key freshmen Mike Hammonds and Austin Smith. Jordan has been averaging 13.2 points a game and Barlow is averaging 10.3. This core has a chance to be very good once the chemistry and team experience increases through the rest of the year and the offseason. Once this young and unfamiliar team starts to click on all cylinders, this can be a dangerous team, just like the New Jersey Nets. It is important that this Dragon team continues to try and improve everyday and start to get better for next year.

Tiffin University Basketball vs Northwood

Tiffin University has been in a bit of a losing slide lately (losing their last 16 games), but looked like they were going to turn it around against the Northwood TImberwovles. The dragons came out with energy and intensity and built a 32-27 lead at halftime. This wouldn't last as the Dragons ended up giving away the lead early on in the second half. They ended up shooting 31% from the field and losing 76-68. DeAngelo Jordan led the Dragon scorers with 19 and Brian Scott had 16 points. Tiffin will try to put a stop to this losing streak against a tough Michigan Tech team, February 2nd. The Huskies are on their own losing streak of 5 games, so something has got to give in this upcoming match up.