Warsaw found the perfect defense to Elkhart Memorial's potent offense - simply outscore them.

The Crimson Chargers entered Saturday's game at the Tiger Den averaging over 75 points a game, but it was the Tigers' offense that was clicking on all cylinders.

Warsaw continued its hot shooting, hitting on 41 of 57 from the field (72 percent) in burying Memorial 100-66. It marks the first time Warsaw has hit the century mark in a game since 1995.

"We started off this year trying to come with a varsity defense," Warsaw coach Al Rhodes said. "Our offense has come a long way since the Elkhart Central (first) game. The one thing we have done all year is shoot a tremendous field goal percentage. Even though we have turned the ball over a lot, that is why we have still been able to win.

"When we are mentally right, we are a good basketball team," he said. "The way we played tonight is a credit to Elkhart Memorial in terms of the season they are having and us looking at them and saying there is somebody we really want to beat."

Warsaw has been hitting a high percentage of its field goal attempts this season (58 percent on the year), but because of turnovers and inexperience, the offense has fluttered. But after shooting 63 percent Friday against Southwood, the Tigers have hit their rhythm.

"In the last three games, we have cut our percent error down to 20 percent," Rhodes said. "That makes us a very effective team."

Elkhart Memorial seemed to still be showing the effects from Friday night's big 88-86 double-overtime win over South Bend LaSalle and was no match for the Tigers.

Warsaw led 49-35 at halftime, but never felt secure with the potency of the Crimson Chargers. The Tigers came out of the lockerroom and got three straight layups from P.J. Wiley and a jumper from Luke Reed for a 57-35 lead and never looked back.

Lucas Schroeder gave the Tigers the 100 points with a three-pointer with 45 seconds left in the game.

"The biggest key of the game was the start of the third quarter," Rhodes said. "We came out and decided we were going to some driving plays. Charlton drove and dished off and Wiley got some layups, and we were able to stretch out the halftime lead and pretty much got control of the game there."

Tyler Charlton led Warsaw with 30 points and Tom Krizmanich continued his hot shooting ways with 29 points. Charlton and Krizmanich combined to hit 23 of 29 from the field. In his last four ball games, Krizmanich has scored 36, 29, 34 and 29 points.

Andy Plank added 11 points for the Tigers.

Nick Franger led the Chargers with 25 points.

Warsaw led only 23-19 at the end of the first, but the Tigers opened up the second quarter with two straight layups from Charlton and one from Krizmanich to gain a 29-19 advantage. Elkhart Memorial trimmed the margin to 29-22, but a few minutes later Krizmanich's jumper made it 33-22 and it never fell below double digits again.

The Tigers hit on 10 of 15 shots in the first quarter, 11 of 16 in the second, 12 of 15 in the third and 8 of 11 in the fourth.

The Tigers, who despite a 14-2 record are still unranked, have a big Northern Lakes Conference game at Plymouth Friday.

"As we move forward and if can keep our percent error down, then we can play at a level that would keep us from anybody," Rhodes said. "We will certainly find out how good we are next Friday night at Plymouth. It (a ranking) doesn't win any games, but when you have worked as hard as this team has to improve, it is something I think they deserve." [[In-content Ad]]