Box Score
VALPARAISO, Ind. -- Western Michigan fought a tough battle
with four players scoring in double figures but fell to Valparaiso,
77-65, on the road in Indiana at the Athletics-Recreation Center in
front of 3,678 Wednesday night.
The Crusaders (5-1) shot 57.8 percent (26-45) from the field, while
holding the Broncos (4-3) to 38 percent (19-51) and only 27.8 percent
(5-18) behind the arc. Valpo sent Western Michigan to the line numerous
times in the second half allowing the Broncos to convert 22-of-31, but
it wasn't enough to catch up to the Crusaders.
Western Michigan took an early lead when David Kool made a
three-point shot sending the Broncos ahead by five, 7-2, but with many
missed chances followed by two back-to-back three pointers by the
Crusaders, WMU lost the lead with plenty of time left, 16:47, in the
first half.
Western Michigan fought their way back when Michael
Redell scored a jumper followed by a three-pointer sending the Broncos
back ahead, 20-19, but the lead was short lived when the Crusaders'
leading scorer, Shawn Huff, made a three-pointer.
Joe Reitz, Shawntes Gary, and Redell tried to rally their team back into the game
shooting 6-for-6 behind the free throw line, but Valpo was able to
connect on four three-point shots before heading to the locker room
with the lead, 40-26.
Valparaiso came out strong in the second half ahead by the biggest
margin of the game of 17 points, 43-26, but Martelle McLemore tried to
rally the Broncos scoring seven points within 1:07 bringing the Broncos
to within 10, 45-35.
The Crusaders found themselves already in foul trouble with 13:20
left in the second half, when they brought Reitz to the line to convert
2-for-2, 49-39, followed by a Valpo turnover and a foul to send
McLemore to the line connecting 1-of-2 bringing the score within nine
points.
Western Michigan fought back hard when Redell connected with Kool
for a three pointer to bring the score within eight with 2:40 left on
the clock. With the game being called very tight, both teams found
their way to the free throw line three times within the last couple
minutes of play, but the Broncos were only able to connect 14-of-23
behind the free throw line in the second half.
Reitz scored 16 points with five rebounds, Redell had 11 points and
four assists, Kool scored 11 points with two steals, and McLemore had
10 points and two steals.
Valparaiso's lead scorers were Huff with 19 points and Urule Igbavboa with 15 points and seven rebounds.
Western Michigan will continue their travel on the road when they
head to San Diego State on December 1 with tipoff at 10:30 p.m.
