The Wittenberg Tigers scored the first nine points of the game and put it on cruise control from there, racing past Monmouth 80-54 in an opening round game of the 2011 Charles B. Zimmerman Memorial Classic.

The Tigers improved to 6-3 on the season and advanced to the title game of their home holiday tournament for the 28th time in 29 years. Wittenberg will shoot for its 25th tourney championship at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 30, against Marian (Ind.), which is making its fifth appearance in the competition.

The Knights, who have a 9-4 record after defeating Olivet in the opening round, are making their fifth title game appearance but are still in search of their first Zimmerman Memorial title. Marian lost to Wittenberg in the 1999, 2001, 2005 and 2009 championship games.

Wittenberg simply blitzed the undermanned Scots from the outset, shooting 70 percent from the field in the first half and 57 percent for the game. The lead reached 21 points late in the first half before settling in at 47-30 — then the Tigers quickly put the game out of reach with six straight points to open the second frame. The advantage reached 28 points in the closing moments.

The Tigers showed great balance, as 12 of the 14 players who appeared in the game made it into the scoring column. Of note was the play of senior Clayton Black (Lancaster, Ohio/Lancaster) with 15 points, 11 rebounds and four blocked shots, as well as the performance turned in by senior Josh McKee (New Carlisle, Ohio/Tecumseh) with 18 points and three assists as he shot 7-of-9 from the floor, including 4-of-6 from three-point range.

Also worthy of mention was senior Michael Cooper (Springfield, Ohio/South), who finished with eight points, four rebounds and three assists, and sophomore Scott Masin (New Carlisle, Ohio/Bethel), who was outstanding in six second-half minutes off the bench, finishing with five points, seven rebounds and two steals.

Monmouth picked up a game-high 21 points from Michael DeDecker and 12 points from Kenny Foster. Wes Dukeman contributed 10 points and two blocked shots off the bench.

The Scots will take on Olivet in the consolation game, scheduled for tip-off at 2:15 p.m. Friday, Dec. 30.