INDIANAPOLIS - The Marian College men's basketball team picked up its third piece of hardware on Saturday afternoon as it defeated IU-East, 79-65, to pick up the Marian College Holiday Tournament championship at the Physical Education Center.
The win was the Knights' fifth straight and improves their record to 9-4 on the season.
After nearly 12 minutes of back-and-forth action in the first half, the Knights took control with a 9-2 run to open an eight-point lead, 29-21, with 5:08 to go in the half. The Knights increased their lead to 11 with 1:15 to go, and they went into the locker room with a 38-29 lead.
The Red Wolves closed to within six, 47-41, with 15:48 to go in the game, but the Knights quickly opened the gap. A 7-0 run over the next 2:05 gave the Knights a 13-point lead, 55-42, with 13:13 to go.
IU-East cut the gap back to six, 57-51, with 8:54 remaining after a 9-2 run of their own. Junior J.R. Howell hit the back-breaking three-point shot with 6:40 to go and gave the Knights a 66-55 lead.
The Red Wolves never recovered and the Knights cruised to the 79-65 win to pick up their fifth straight win and third tournament title of the season.
Sophomore Jordan Tucker (Kirklin, Indiana/Clinton Central) earned Tournament Most Valuable Player honors after he tallied 29 points on 11-of-18 shooting and grabbed a team-high seven rebounds.
Junior J.R. Howell (Lapel, Indiana/Lapel) earned All-Tournament honors after he notched 11 points while sophomore Tyler Kleinschmidt (Indianapolis/Bishop Chatard) tallied 13 points and grabbed three rebounds. Freshman Jameson Wheeler (Plainfield, Indiana/Plainfield) had a team-high five assists.
The Knights are off until January 3, 2009, when Taylor University comes to town. The Trojans and Knights will do battle at 3 p.m., in the Physical Education Center. The game will be broadcast LIVE on XL 950AM with Brad Wochomurka (p-b-p) and Director of Athletics Joe Haklin (color) calling all the action beginning at 2:50 p.m.
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All-Tournament Team |
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Jordan Tucker (MVP) |
Marian College |
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J.R. Howell |
Marian College |
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Tyler Rigby |
IU-East |
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Justin Hawkins |
IU-East |
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Chase Wofford |
Berea |
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Wilfredo Escobar |
Calumet St. Joseph |