INDIANAPOLIS, Ind.--Marian shot over 60% from the field to build a double-digit lead before expanding it out to win 96-64 over Cumberland on the first day of the Marian Classic. 

Cumberland (1-3) started off cold and couldn't keep pace with the Knights. Marian dominated the boards out rebounding Cumberland 50-28 negating any second chance opportunities for Cumberland while giving extra possessions to Marian all night. 

The Phoenix's leading scorer Demarius Boyd was out in today's game and the Phoenix missed his presence on the floor. In his absence, Demond Franklin was the leading scorer posting 19 points on 7-of-18 shooting and going 3-for-3 from deep. Doyel Cockrill III added 18 points on 5-of-15 shooting and four triples. Jaheim Berry scored 11 points off the bench. 

Marian had four players in double figures led by Gus Ethison with 18 and a game-high eight assists. Brady Whitaker had 16 and nine boards. Gavin Foe finished with a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Dylan Moles had 15 points off the bench. 

The Phoenix came out cold to start the game. The Knights forced CU into taking deep contested shots and Cumberland could not connect on them, all while Marian was burying mid-range jumpers to get up 11-2 after the first six minutes forcing Cumberland to take a timeout. 

After the timeout, Negron picked up an old-school three pointer and Franklin knocked down a triple from the top of the ley, but Marian sustained their lead by getting tough ones to go leading 20-8 with 10 minutes left in the half. 

Marian got two more shots to go to get up 24-8 before Jaheim Berry drilled a step back three and a quick timeout by the Phoenix with 7:42 to go in the half. 

The Knights pushed it out to a 20 point lead, but Cockrill hit back-to-back threes to spark a run. Stokes followed it up with a two as Cumberland cut it to 14 on an 8-2 run at 33-19. Marian would hold the lead at the break up 40-27. 

To open up the second half, Marian drilled a three and mid-range jumper to go up by 19 and quickly were able to extend that to a 27-point lead up 61-34 with 12:55 to play. 

From that point on, Marian held true to that margin and extended the score out to the final of 96-64. 

Cumberland will have a chance to redeem themselves on the final day of the Mid-South Crossroad Crossover tomorrow as they take on Crossroads opponent St. Francis. Tip-off is set for tomorrow at 4:30 p.m. central time.