The tipoff game of the Forum Credit Union Tipoff Classic featured Mt. Vernon against Castle. Castle made the morning drive up to Indianapolis from the Evansville area. It didn’t hurt their Saturday performance.

Mt. Vernon stayed with Castle for a half behind the aggressiveness of Michael Ertel and Erick Shepherd. Ertel was hunting his shot early. Mt. Vernon needed him to do exactly that. Unfortunately, he did not shoot a high percentage from the field. His aggressiveness did earn him 10 trips to the free throw line.

Mt. Vernon’s overall aggressiveness put many fouls on Castle. The foul situation limited Iowa-signee Jack Nunge to 21 minutes in the game. The Castle lead reached 16 points before Mt. Vernon was able to get back into the game in the second quarter when Nunge went to the bench. The Mauraders cut the lead down to five points by halftime.

Castle did not allow them any closer the rest of the way, though. Castle built a double digit lead by the midway point of the third quarter. Nunge, Alex Hemenway, Brandon Eades and Payton Mills dominated the action for Castle. Those four players scored 78 of the 90 Castle points.

Senior forward Erik Shepherd was the only bright spot for Mt. Vernon in the third quarter. He scored seven points in the period on his way to 21 points in the game. He also had eight rebounds.

Castle was able to coast to the 90-70 victory despite Michael Ertel scoring 31 points for Mt. Vernon.

Castle (90) – Alex Hemenway 19 points (6-13 FG, 3-5 3FG, 4-5 FT), 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 0 turnovers, Brandon Eades 16 points (5-10 FG, 0-2 3FG, 6-9 FT), 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 turnovers, 2 steals, Jack Nunge 23 points (10-18 FG, 3-5 3FG, 0-1 FT), 13 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 turnovers, 2 blocks, 2 steals, Noah McLean 4 points, Payton Mills 20 points (7-10 FG, 6-7 FT), 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 turnover, 1 block, 1 steal, Triston Wilkinson 8 points, 3 assists

Mt. Vernon (70) – Michael Ertel 31 points (9-24 FG, 3-11 3FG, 10-10 FT), 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 turnovers, 1 steal, Cade Gentry 2 assists, Damari Gatewood 3 points, 1 assist, 2 turnovers, 2 blocks, James McCloud 4 points, 4 rebounds, Erick Shepherd 21 points (7-14 FG, 7-12 FT), 8 rebounds, 4 turnovers, 1 assist, Logan Smith 2 points, 3 rebounds, Jake Morris 2 points, Peyton Meadors 7 points