ALLIANCE, Ohio - Mount Union's men's basketball team jumped out to an early lead and rolled to a 96-68 win over Adrian (Mich.) on the first day of the M-Club Classic in the McPherson Academic and Athletic Complex in Alliance.

The Purple Raiders (7-3, 4-0 OAC) were led by Stevie Griffin (Canton/Massillon Jackson) who matched his season-high with 16 points.

Jarrett Ruffin (Northfield/Nordonia) and Kyle Scelza (Stow/Stow-Munroe Falls) also finished in double figures for the Raiders. Ruffin scored a dozen points and Scelza added 11 points.

Adrian (2-7 overall) was led by Rickey Jackson and Curtis Gordon both with nine points.

Mount Union never trailed as they jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the opening minutes of the game. The Raiders extended their lead to as many as 19 points, 51-32 at the half. Mount Union shot 9-for-18 from the three-point line in the first half.

The Raiders continued to extend in the second half and led by 28 points with 8:57 left in the game. The 28-point lead would neither increase or decrease at the games end as the Raiders won by a final mark of 96-68.

Day two of the M-Club classic will be tomorrow (December 28) as Adrian will take on North Central (Ill.) at 1:00pm and will be followed by Mount Union against Olivet (Mich.) at 3:00pm. Both games will be played in the McPherson Academic and Athletic Complex in Alliance.