Thiel (0-1) junior forward Percy Sweeting hit a jumper to cut the Musky lead to four (10-4) with 12:27 remaining in the first half. Muskingum (1-0) went on to outscore the Tomcats 27-15 over the final 12:27 to carry a 37-21 lead into the half.
The Tomcats connected on just 34.8 percent (8-23) of their first-half shots, including just one-for-10 (10.0%) from three-point range.
Fueled by a 31-19 scoring flurry over the opening 12:31 of the second half, the Muskies jumped out to a 28-point lead (68-40) and never looked back.
Muskingum was lights out in the contest, hitting 57.1 percent (24-42) of its field goals, including 8-of-17 from three-point range (47.1%). The Tomcats finished shooting just 36.0 percent (18-50) from the field and were outrebounded in the contest by a 35-18 margin.
Senior guard Daryl Moore was the Tomcats' top scorer, finishing with 11 points. Senior guard Ryan Singleton and Sweeting each added nine in the loss.
Muskingum finished with four in double figures, led by Zach Ross (16 pts.) and Graig Turson (13 pts.). Jeff Smallwood and Roy Skidmore each chipped in with 10. Matt Dansby was the Muskies top player on the boards, finishing with nine rebounds to go along with his nine points.
Thiel will now take on the loser of the Juniata/Penn State Berks game in Sunday's consolation game. Tip off is scheduled for 1 p.m.