5/21/2004
Sylla Granted Release From Commitment To Explore Other Schools
Valparaiso University men's basketball coach Homer Drew announced that Oumar Sylla has been granted a release from his commitment to the University and the basketball program.
5/6/2004
Valpo Signs Chicago Catholic League Player of the Year
Valparaiso University men's basketball coach Homer Drew announced that Vincent Humphrey, of Fenwick High School in Chicago, has signed a national letter of intent to attend VU and play basketball.
4/1/2004
Valpo Offers Summer Boys Basketball Camps
The Valparaiso University men's basketball staff will conduct four boys summer basketball camps at the Athletics-Recreation Center. Valpo head coach Homer Drew, who guided the Crusaders to their 9th Mid-Continent Conference regular season title and 8th tournament title in the last 10 years, will conduct the camps along with his coaching staff.
3/18/2004
Valpo Falls to Gonzaga In NCAA Tournament
Valpo raced out to an early lead, but Gonzaga controlled the second half and defeated the Crusaders 76-49 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
3/15/2004
On To The Great Northwest! Valpo To Face Gonzaga In Battle of Success Stories
A battle of two of the most successful college basketball programs over the last 10 years will take place on Thursday at 9 p.m. (CST) when Valpo opposes Gonzaga in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Key Arena in Seattle.
3/14/2004
Valpo To Face Gonzaga In NCAA Tournament Thursday In Seattle
Valpo will face Gonzaga in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday in Seattle. The Crusaders (18-12) take the #15 seed against the #2 seeded Bulldogs (27-2). Tipoff will be approximately 9 p.m. CST (7 p.m. PST).
3/9/2004
Valpo Captures 8th Mid-Con Tournament Championship; Second-Half Comeback Sinks IUPUI
Kikas Gomes scored 23 points, including 18 in the second half, as Valpo came back from a 12-point second-half deficit to defeat IUPUI 75-70 to capture its 8th Mid-Continent Conference Tournament Championship. The Crusaders (18-12) advance to their 7th NCAA Tournament.
3/7/2004
Valpo Defeats Oakland; Crusaders Advance to Monday's Mid-Con Tournament Semifinals
Dan Oppland scored 19 points and grabbed nine rebounds, and Kikas Gomes recorded a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds as Valpo defeated Oakland 73-64 in the quarterfinals of the Mid-Continent Conference Tournament. The Crusaders (16-12) will play UMKC in the semifinals on Monday at 6 p.m. (Fox Sports Net).
3/5/2004
Regular Season Champ Valpo Opposes Oakland in Mid-Con Tournament
Valpo, the regular season champion and #1 seed, will face #8 seed Oakland on Sunday at noon in the quarterfinals of the Mid-Continent Conference Tournament.
3/4/2004
Valpo's Gomes, Oppland & Berdiel Selected To All-Mid-Con Second Team
Valpo, the Mid-Continent Conference regular season champion, placed Joaquim "Kikas" Gomes, Dan Oppland and Ali Berdiel on the All-Mid-Con Second Team.
3/2/2004
Valpo Defeats Chicago State To Capture 9th Mid-Con Regular Season Championship In Last 10 Years
Valpo defeated Chicago State 74-66 to capture its 9th Mid-Continent Conference Regular Season Championship in the last 10 years. Dan Oppland had game highs of 20 points and 13 rebounds and three other Crusaders scored in double figures.
3/1/2004
Valpo Shoots For Outright Mid-Con Title Tuesday Against Chicago State
On Tuesday, Valpo (14-12, 10-5) can capture the outright Mid-Continent Conference regular season championship with a victory over Chicago State (11-18, 9-6).
2/28/2004
Valpo Rolls Past IPFW; Crusaders Clinch Share of Mid-Con Title By Virtue of Saturday's Results
Valpo made 57 percent of its shots in the first half and defeated IPFW 83-61 in a non-conference game. Dan Oppland led the Crusaders (14-12) with 18 points, while Kenny Harris added 15 and Ali Berdiel tallied 10.
2/26/2004
Valpo Defeated By #4 Duke; Gomes Records Double-Double For Crusaders
Fourth-ranked Duke drained 10, 3-pointers in the first half and went on to defeat Valpo 97-63 in Cameron Indoor Stadium. The home victory was the 41st straight for the Blue Devils. Kikas Gomes led the Crusaders (13-12) with 18 points and 11 rebounds ? his 12th double-double of the season. Dan Oppland tallied 11 points and eight rebounds, while Ali Berdiel added 10 points.
2/24/2004
Valpo Opposes #4 Duke On Thursday At Cameron Indoor Stadium
Valpo (13-11) steps onto the national stage on Thursday by opposing #4-ranked Duke (22-3) at 8:05 p.m. CST (9:05 p.m. EST) at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The game, the first-ever between the schools, will be televised live on ESPN2.
2/21/2004
Valpo Falls To Southern Utah; Crusaders Drop Into First-Place Logjam
Southern Utah raced out to a 16-point first-half lead and went on to defeat Valpo 75-58. The loss dropped the Crusaders (13-11, 10-5) into a four-way tie for first place in the Mid-Continent Conference.
2/19/2004
First-Place Valpo Travels To Play Southern Utah Saturday
Winners of nine of its last 10 games, Valpo (13-10, 10-4) is back in first place in the Mid-Continent Conference. On Saturday, the Crusaders oppose Southern Utah in Cedar City, Utah.
2/14/2004
Valpo Vaults Into First Place With Win Over UMKC; Dan Oppland, Gomes Tally Double-Doubles
Dan Oppland scored 19 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, and Kikas Gomes added 17 points and 10 rebounds as Valpo defeated UMKC 70-60. The win, Valpo's ninth in the last 10 games, propelled the Crusaders (13-10, 10-4) into first place in the Mid-Continent Conference.
2/13/2004
Valpo Hosts UMKC In Key Mid-Con Matchup
After closing the gap on first place, Valpo (12-10, 9-4) hosts UMKC (12-10, 7-4) in another key Mid-Continent Conference game.
2/12/2004
Valpo Places Five In Double Figures In Win Over Oral Roberts
Valpo placed five players in double figures and held off a late comeback to defeat Oral Roberts 84-73. The victory propelled the Crusaders (9-4) into a first-place tie with IUPUI (8-3).
2/11/2004
Valpo Hosts Oral Roberts As Mid-Con Race Tightens
On Thursday, Valpo (11-10, 8-4 Mid-Con) begins a two-game homestand by entertaining Oral Roberts (13-8, 6-4) at 7:05 p.m.
2/7/2004
Strong Second Half Propels Valpo Past Chicago State; Dan Oppland, Sylla Pace Crusaders
Dan Oppland scored 23 points and Oumar Sylla added 14 as Valpo (11-10, 8-4) used a strong second-half surge to defeat Chicago State 79-68.
2/5/2004
Valpo Falls To Centenary Despite Oppland's 22 Points; Crusaders' Win Streak Stopped At Six
Dan Oppland scored 22 points and grabbed seven rebounds, but Valpo lost to Centenary 78-73.
2/3/2004
First-Place Valpo Travels To Play Centenary On Thursday
Carrying the momentum of a six-game win streak, first-place Valpo (10-9, 7-3 Mid-Con) travels to Shreveport, Louisiana to oppose Centenary (11-8, 5-3) on Thursday at 7:05 p.m.
1/31/2004
Valpo Edges Western Illinois In Overtime To Vault Into First Place In Mid-Con
Dan Oppland scored eight of his 22 points in overtime as Valpo defeated Western Illinois 81-79. The Crusaders (10-9, 7-3 Mid-Con) moved into first place in the Mid-Continent Conference by a half game over Oral Roberts (6-3) and IUPUI (6-3). The victory was the sixth straight for Valpo.
1/30/2004
Valpo Begins Three-Game Road Stretch At Western Illinois
Riding a five-game win streak, Valpo (9-9, 6-3 Mid-Con) begins a three-game road stretch by traveling to Western Illinois (3-17, 1-7) for an 8 p.m. Saturday matchup.
1/29/2004
Late Threes By Nieves, Gomes Lift Valpo Past Oakland For Fifth Straight Win
Valpo seniors Roberto Nieves and Kikas Gomes each made a 3-pointer down the stretch to halt a furious Oakland comeback as the Crusaders held on to defeat the Golden Grizzlies 77-72. The win, which ran Valpo's current win streak to five, extended the Crusaders' all-time record against Oakland to 12-0.
1/28/2004
Valpo Concludes Homestand Against Oakland Thursday
On Thursday, Valpo (8-9, 5-3 Mid-Con) takes a four-game winning streak against Oakland (8-12, 2-6). The game concludes a four-game homestand for the Crusaders.
1/23/2004
Valpo Hosts Southern Utah In 3 p.m. Saturday Matinee
Valpo, which continues to crawl up the Mid-Con standings after winning three straight games, hosts Southern Utah on Saturday in a special 3 p.m. matinee.
1/22/2004
Valpo Defeats Centenary 77-66 for Third Straight Win
Dan Oppland led four Valpo players in double figures with 16 points as the Crusaders defeated Centenary 77-66 for their third straight victory.
1/21/2004
Valpo Takes Two-Game Win Streak Against Centenary Thursday
Valpo (6-9, 3-3 Mid-Con) enters Thursday's game against Centenary riding a two-game win streak.
1/17/2004
Balanced Effort Ignites Valpo Past Western Illinois; Miles Leads Crusaders With 17 Points
Jimmie Miles led four Crusaders in double figures with 17 points as Valpo defeated Western Illinois 73-57.
1/14/2004
Valpo Travels To Play IUPUI On Thursday
On Thursday in Indianapolis, Valpo will play its second game against IUPUI in a 10-day period.
1/10/2004
Valpo Suffers Overtime Loss At Oral Roberts; Berdiel Scores Career-High 28
Ali Berdiel scored a career-high 28 points and dished out eight assists, and Kikas Gomes tallied a career-best 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, but Valpo lost in overtime 87-81 to Oral Roberts.
1/8/2004
Valpo Drops Heartbreaker At UMKC; Dan Oppland Scores 22
Valpo's last-second shot missed at the buzzer as the Crusaders lost to UMKC 60-59 in a Mid-Continent Conference game.
1/6/2004
Valpo Travels To Play UMKC; Crusaders Begin Three-Game Road Swing Thursday
A challenging early Mid-Con schedule continues on Thursday for Valpo as the Crusaders travel to play at UMKC beginning at 7 p.m.
1/5/2004
Valpo Falls To IUPUI In Mid-Con Home Opener
Five IUPUI players scored in double figures as the Jaguars defeated Valpo 79-67 in the Crusaders' Mid-Con home opener.
1/3/2004
Late Free Throws Lift Valpo Past Oakland In Mid-Con Opener; Dan Oppland, Berdiel Net Career-Highs
Dan Oppland scored a career-high 23 points and Ali Berdiel netted a career-best 20 as Valpo defeated Oakland 79-76 in the Mid-Continent Conference opener.
1/2/2004
Valpo Opens Mid-Con Season At Oakland On Saturday
Valpo opens the Mid-Continent Conference season on Saturday at Oakland beginning at 5 p.m. CST.
12/30/2003
Strong Defense, Rebounding Key Win Over Liberty In Fiesta Bowl Classic Consolation Game
Four Crusaders tallied double figures as Valpo (3-6) defeated Liberty 72-54 to capture the Fiesta Bowl Classic Consolation Championship.
12/28/2003
Valpo Falls To Louisiana-Lafayette Despite Gomes' Fourth Straight Double-Double
Kikas Gomes scored 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, but Valpo (2-6) was defeated by Louisiana-Lafayette 95-71 in the opening round of the Fiesta Bowl Classic.
12/23/2003
Valpo Looks To Rebound At Fiesta Bowl Classic; Crusaders Make Return Trip To Tucson
After final exams and a 15-day break from game competition, Valpo (2-5) will head west to play in the University of Arizona's Fiesta Bowl Classic Dec. 28, 30. The Crusaders oppose Louisiana-Lafayette (3-3) in the first game Sunday at 2:45 p.m. CST (1:45 MST).
12/15/2003
Valpo's Gomes Selected Mid-Con Player of the Week
Valparaiso University's Joaquim "Kikas" Gomes was named Mid-Continent Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Week.
12/13/2003
Valpo Defeated By Loyola 76-69
Four Valpo players scored in double-figures, but the Crusaders lost to Loyola 76-69 to conclude a five-game homestand. Kikas Gomes led Valpo with 16 points and 13 rebounds, and Dan Oppland added 13 points and 12 rebounds.
12/12/2003
Valpo Concludes Homestand Saturday Against Loyola
Valpo entertains Loyola on Saturday in a 2:05 p.m. matinee to conclude a five-game homestand.
12/9/2003
Valpo Hosts Wisconsin-Milwaukee On Wednesday; Crusaders Fresh Off Win Over Indiana State
The Crusaders face a challenging task Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. as they host Wisconsin-Milwaukee in the fourth of a five-game homestand.
12/8/2003
Gomes, Oppland Lead Valpo Past Indiana State
Kikas Gomes had game-highs of 19 points and 12 rebounds, and Dan Oppland added 16 points to lead Valpo (2-3) to a 59-53 victory over Indiana State (2-3).
12/7/2003
Homestand Rolls On As Valpo Hosts Indiana State; Crusaders Play Three Games In Six Days
Over the next week, Valpo hopes to take advantage of three straight home games. The Crusaders (1-3) host Indiana State (2-2) on Monday before entertaining Wisconsin-Milwaukee on Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. and Loyola on Saturday in a special 2:05 p.m. matinee.
12/2/2003
Valpo Falls to 19th-ranked Cincinnati
Jason Maxiell scored 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to help 19th-ranked Cincinnati defeat Valpo 68-49. Kikas Gomes led the Crusaders with 10 points.
12/1/2003
Valpo Entertains 19th-ranked Cincinnati; Crusaders Continue Five-Game Homestand
Following an entire week away from game competition, Valpo (1-2) hosts Cincinnati (3-0) in the second of a five-game homestand.
11/25/2003
Hot Shooting Second Half, Rebounding Propel South Florida Past Valpo
South Florida shot 54 percent in the second half and came back from an 11-point deficit to defeat Valpo 64-62. Dan Oppland led the Crusaders (1-2) with 13 points, while Jimmie Miles added 10 off the bench.
11/24/2003
Valpo Hosts South Florida In Home Opener
On Tuesday, Valpo (1-1) plays its home opener, hosting South Florida (1-0) in the first of a five-game homestand.
11/22/2003
Valpo Falls Short In Upset Bid of #23-Ranked Marquette
Roberto Nieves led four Crusaders in double-figures with 17 points and Valpo drained 11, 3-pointers in a 75-70 loss to #23-ranked Marquette in the championship game of the Pepsi Blue & Gold Classic.
11/21/2003
Dan Oppland Scores 18 In Season-Opening Win Over Arkansas-Monticello
Dan Oppland led Valpo with 18 points as the Crusaders used a second-half surge to defeat Arkansas-Monticello 72-53 in the opening round of the Pepsi Blue & Gold Classic in Milwaukee's Bradley Center. Valpo (1-0) will play host Marquette (2-0) in the championship Saturday at 8 p.m. The Golden Eagles defeated Savannah State 79-41 in the nightcap.
11/19/2003
Valpo Men's Basketball Signs Two
Valparaiso University head men's basketball coach Homer Drew announced that Jarryd Loyd of Niles West High School in Skokie, Ill. and Aris Williams of Georgetown Preparatory School in Washington D.C. have signed national letters of intent to attend Valpo and play basketball.
11/17/2003
Five Score In Double-Figures In Comeback Win Over Athletes In Action
Roberto Nieves drained two, 3-pointers, Ali Berdiel added another trey, and Dan Oppland and Seth Colclasure made two free throws each in the final 24 seconds as Valpo came back from a nine-point deficit in the final 3:29 to defeat Athletes In Action 79-75 in an exhibition game.
11/13/2003
Gomes Scores 27 In Win Over Cap's Basketball Academy All-Stars
Joaquim Gomes recorded a double-double with 27 points and 12 rebounds as Valpo posted a 91-82 victory over Cap's Basketball Academy All-Stars in an exhibition game.
11/10/2003
Valpo Men's Basketball Hosts Cap's Basketball Academy All-Stars Thursday
The Valpo men's basketball team tips off its exhibition season on Thursday at 7:05 p.m. by hosting the Cap's Basketball Academy All-Stars.
9/29/2003
Gomes Named to Angola's Olympic Team
Joaquim "Kikas" Gomes, a member of Valparaiso University's men's basketball team, was recently selected to play in the 2004 Olympics for his native country of Angola.
9/19/2003
Valpo Basketball Season Tickets On Sale
Valparaiso University men's and women's basketball season tickets are on sale through the Valpo Athletics Ticket Office. Season tickets can be purchased by calling Cindy Eaton at (219) 464-5233. Season tickets can be purchased by check (payable to Valparaiso University), Visa/MasterCard or Discover. Orders are due by Sept. 26.
9/11/2003
Valpo Names Rex Walters Assistant Men's Basketball Coach
Valparaiso University head men's basketball coach Homer Drew announced the addition of Rex Walters as an assistant coach. Walters joins the Valpo staff after serving as a graduate assistant at Emporia (Kan.) State University during the 2003 year.
9/5/2003
Valpo's Men's Basketball Schedule Highlighted by Games With Cincinnati, Duke
A home game against Cincinnati on Dec. 2 and a road contest against Duke on Feb. 26 highlight Valparaiso University's 2003-04 Men's Basketball Schedule. The Crusaders, defending Mid-Continent Conference regular season champions, will play five consecutive non-conference home games against South Florida (Nov. 25), Cincinnati, Indiana State (Dec. 8), Wisconsin-Milwaukee (Dec. 10) and Loyola (Dec. 13).
8/22/2003
Homer Drew Returns As Valpo's Head Men's Basketball Coach
Valparaiso University Director of Athletics William Steinbrecher announced that Homer Drew, the winningest coach in Valpo history, is returning as head men's basketball coach. Homer is succeeding his son Scott who resigned to become the head men's basketball coach at Baylor University.
8/22/2003
Scott Drew Resigns As Valpo's Head Basketball Coach; Accepts Head Coaching Position At Baylor
Valparaiso University Director of Athletics William Steinbrecher announced that Scott Drew has resigned as head men's basketball coach to become the head men's basketball coach at Baylor University.
