Game 11- @ Chicago State

Once again, it took a classic defensive effort for Valparaiso to pull out a 69-63 road win last night at Indiana State. The Crusaders locked down on defense in the first half, holding the Sycamores to 19% shooting from the floor, and leading by 10 at the break, although the lead had been as high as 12. In the second half, it was offense that Valpo needed, and though ISU would take a lead midway through the half, it was only by one, and Valpo would come back to put away a tough road victory. Free throw shooting down the stretch nearly doomed the Crusaders, but they would hit on all of their attempts in the final minute, finishing 23-32 on the game, for the win. Alec Peters was again the driving force for Valpo, tallying a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds while adding two steals. E. Victor Nickerson, again starting in place of the injured Tevonn Walker, picked up 15 points as well, adding seven rebounds, an assist, and two steals, while Darien Walker and David Skara chipped in 12 points apiece. Four Crusaders combined to score 18 points off the bench, led by Skara with 12. For Indiana State, much of their damage was done by just two players. Matt Van Scyoc and Brenton Scott combined for 36 points, putting up 20 and 16, respectively. No other Sycamore scored more than six, although the ISU bench contributed 27 points. Tevonn Walker was again out for Valpo with injury.

Tomorrow night the Crusaders travel across the state line to take on the Chicago State Cougars (3-6, 0-0 WAC). The Cougars have lost five straight games, most recently falling 96-72 at DePaul on Saturday night. Chicago State has yet to beat a Division I team this season. The Cougars are led by junior guard Elliott Cole (14.3 ppg, 3.3 apg) and senior guard Kieran Woods, who leads the WAC with 2.8 steals per game. The Cougars roster also includes senior guard/forward Jawad Adekoya, the brother of Valparaiso forward Jubril Adekoya.
-Chicago State took part in the Emerald Coast Classic earlier this season, finishing 0-4 but losing their last three games by three points or less.
-The game will take place at the Jones Convention Center, which seats 7,000. The largest home crowd Chicago State has seen this season was 510 for a game against Illinois Tech.
-Valparaiso leads the all-time series between the two teams 28-3. The last meeting came as part of the Joe Cipriano Nebraska Classic in 2012, with Valpo claiming a 67-46 victory.
-The game can be streamed online at the WAC Digital Network. It will be on the radio on WVUR 95.1 FM in Valparaiso, with Todd Ickow and David Huseman on the call.
-This will be Chicago State's first home game since November 21, against Trinity International. They will begin a stretch of five games in 10 days with the game against Valpo, but won't be at home again until December 19.