Tiffin, Ohio – The Wayne State University men's basketball squad (9-7 overall, 6-4 GLIAC) fell 83-77 at Tiffin University (7-10 overall, 2-8 GLIAC) Thursday evening for its first setback against the Dragons (WSU had an 11-0 lead in the all-time series).
 
The Warriors scored the first four points on buckets by junior forward Ian Larkin (Detroit, Mich./Renaissance) and senior guard Dale Brundidge (Southfield, Mich./Detroit Country Day) and never trailed in the first half.
 
Wayne State's biggest lead of the first half (16, 34-18) came with 4:30 remaining on the third triple of the first half by junior guard Cole Prophet (Sandusky, Ohio).
 
WSU had a significant 16-6 advantage in points in the paint during the opening 20 minutes.  The Warriors shot 41 percent (15-of-37) from the floor in the first half while Tiffin made 27 percent (9-of-33).
 
The Dragons began the second half on fire scoring 24 points in less than five minutes after being held to 23 points in the first half.
 
When the first media timeout occurred at the 13:32 mark, Tiffin had a three-point lead at 50-47 after out-scoring the Warriors 26-11, including two triples by Joe Graessle.
 
TU had a 55-49 lead following a fast break dunk by Karl Finley with 11:57 left.  Nine straight points by Wayne State included five points by sophomore forward Bryan Coleman (Southfield, Mich./Lathrup).
 
There were five ties in the next five minutes with the last coming at 67 with just over five minutes left.  Tiffin scored the next six points to grab a 73-67 lead.  A jumper by Larkin cut the deficit to four, but the Warriors would get no closer than five the rest of the way.

Tiffin shot 75 percent (21-of-28) from the floor in the second half.

Prophet and senior center Ike Udanoh (Detroit, Mich./Warren Woods Tower) tied for team-high scoring honors with 16 points each as five Warriors scored in double figures.

Finley led all scorers with 32 points on 11-of-20 from the floor and 9-of-11 from the foul line.  Graessle hit six of nine from beyond the arc and finished with 21 points.
 
Wayne State will travel to Ohio Dominican for a 3 p.m. tip-off on Saturday in its final road game not in the Upper Peninsula.