FORT WAYNE, Indiana - The Marian College men's basketball team made the trip to Fort Wayne, Indiana, on Saturday afternoon despite the less-than-ideal weather conditions that blew through central Indiana.

 

Unfortunately, the Knights fell to the University of Saint Francis (IN), 81-71, to fall to 4-4 overall and 0-3 in the Mid-Central College Conference.

 

The Cougars opened the game on a 17-3 run and never looked back as the Knights struggled to recover. The Knights shot just 36 percent (9-for-25), but were able to cut the lead to nine, 35-26, at halftime.

 

The Knights cut the lead to six, 39-33, early in the second half, but, despite shooting 62 percent (16-for-26) in the second frame, the Cougars held off the Knights for tha 81-71 victory.

 

Freshman Alex Sylvester (Indianapolis/Perry Meridian) led the Knights with 17 points and dished out three assists. Sophomore Tyler Kleinschmidt (Indianapolis/Bishop Chatard) added 11 points, two assists, and two steals while sophomore Jordan Tucker (Kirklin, Indiana/Clinton Central) had 11 points, three rebounds, and five assists.

 

Freshman Jameson Wheeler (Plainfield, Indiana/Plainfield) had his third straight five-plus assist game with five dimes.

 

Sophomore Matt Allee (Greenwood, Indiana/Greenwood) had a team-high five rebounds for the Knights.

 

Marian College heads to the Pete Thorn Invitational on the campus of Wabash College on Friday and Saturday. The Knights open with IU-Southeast at 6 p.m. in Crawfordsville, Indiana. A win puts the Knights in the championship game at 3 p.m. while defeat sends them to the consolation game at 1 p.m. on Saturday.