INDIANAPOLIS - The Marian College men's basketball team opened its home season with a convincing 93-55 victory over Purdue North-Central at the Physical Education Center on Wednesday night.

 

Four Knights notched double figures while the Knights outscored the Panthers, 48-22, in the paint and 14-5 on the fast break.

 

The Knights jumped out to a 14-2 lead with 13:48 remaining in the first half and cruised into the locker room with a 50-22 halftime lead. PNC got no closer than 23 in the second half as the Knights cruised to the 93-55 victory.

 

The win moved the Knights to 2-1 on the campaign and brought head coach John Grimes' career record in home openers to 31-2 in his 33 seasons.

 

Sophomore Tyler Kleinschmidt (Indianapolis/Bishop Chatard) led all scorers with 15 points, three assists, and two steals. Junior Heath Chamberlain (Brazil, Indiana/Northview) added 14 points and grabbed four rebounds while sophomore Anthony Furlin (Fisher, Indiana/Hamilton Southeastern) and junior J.R. Howell (Lapel, Indiana/Lapel) added 12 points each in limited action. Furlin added a team-high five assists.

 

Junior J.P. Estep (Columbus, Indiana/North) had a game-high eight rebounds including five on the offensive end for the Knights. Freshman Jameson Wheeler (Plainfield, Indiana/Plainfield) also added five assists, four rebounds, and two steals.

 

The Knights notched 19 steals and shot 49 percent (35-for-72) from the field for the game.

 

Marian College remains at home when it hosts the 10th Annual Ken Elmendorf Memorial Tournament on Friday and Saturday.

 

The Knights take on Holy Cross College at 6 p.m., while Illinois Tech and No. 12-ranked Indiana Tech battle at 8 p.m.

 

The losers of Friday night's games will battle at 1 p.m., in the consolation game on Saturday while the winners will play for the championship trophy at 3 p.m.