Zach Plackemeier scored 16 points, including four 3-pointers, to boost IPFW to a 68-55 victory over Western Illinois on Thursday night.
The Mastodons (10-4, 5-0 Summit) were perfect from the free-throw line, going 12 for 12, as the team captured its best start to a season since moving to Division I in 2001-02.
Trailing 30-23 at halftime, the Leathernecks (6-8, 1-3) pulled within two points early in the second half on a 3-pointer by Jack Houpt, but that was as close as they came.
IPFW went on a 10-2 run moments later and led by as many as 17 points late in the game.
Matt Lander led the Leathernecks with 16 points while Tommie Tyler added 11 and Houpt had nine.
The Mastodons' Trey McCorkle chipped in with 13 points while Frank Gaines scored 11 and Jeremy Mixon 10.
