INDIANAPOLIS –The UIndy men's basketball team (5-0) opened its own Thanksgiving Classic with a comfortable 73-51 region win versus Tiffin Friday night.  Senior Joe Lawson notched his third double-double of the young season with 28 points and 10 rebounds.

The Greyhounds held Tiffin to just 51 points, matching the season low for a UIndy opponent, while also assisting on 74 percent of their made baskets.

Meanwhile, Lawson's double-double was the eighth by a Greyhound this season, already topping last year's total.  At least one Hound has reached double digits in two statistical categories in every game so far this year.

The Dragons (2-2) led 6-4 early, but the Greyhounds took off from there, scoring 15 of the next 18 points to take a 10-point advantage. The run as capped by a corner three from senior Kendall Vieke, the first of two first-half triples for the Vincennes, Ind., native.

The Hounds went on to build a 41-28 cushion at the break.  They dominated the glass in the first half, grabbing 20 of the 29 available rebounds.

Lawson and Brennan McElroy each had four offensive boards in the first 20 minutes, while Lawson reached 20 points in that span.

The lead ballooned to 21 four minutes into the second on back-to-back fast-break lay-ups by Vieke and Jordan Loyd.  The deficit touched a game-high 23 with 11 minutes to go before settling at the final margin of 22.

Lawson's game-high point total was aided by a 10-for-13 effort from the foul line.  Junior Lucas Barker was the only other Hound in double figures, as the Australian point guard compiled 12 points, seven assists and five steals.

Loyd finished with nine points, five rebounds and three assists, while Vieke added eight points and four boards.  McElroy grabbed nine rebounds, and freshman Martyce Kimbrough was credited with his second collegiate block.

Prior to the Hounds' game versus Tiffin, the UIndy Thanksgiving Classic kicked off with a match-up between Saint Joseph's and Central State.  After trailing by 23 points with just 9:15 to go, SJC cut it to three in the final minute before falling, 78-71.

The Classic concludes tomorrow with two more contests on the Nicoson Hall court.  Saint Joseph's battles Tiffin at 1 p.m., followed by UIndy versus Central State at 3:15 p.m.