Thursday, November 13, 2003

Valparaiso, Ind. - 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. Ali Berdiel added 13 points and Dan Oppland tallied 12 for the Crusaders. Mike King of Cap's All-Stars led all scorers with 31 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. Cap's All-Stars are comprised of former college players.

Valpo scored five straight points on freshman Oumar Sylla's 3-pointer and a short jumper by Dan Oppland to extend its lead to 85-74 with 4:37 remaining. The Crusaders led by no fewer than nine points and by as many as 13 (89-76, 2:41 left) the rest of the way.

The game was close throughout as Cap's led 63-61 with 14:06 remaining on King's layup. King, who starred at UIC, scored 11 points and Tony Graves, a standout at Southwest Missouri, added 10 during a 24-14 run to begin the second half.

Cap's lead was short-lived, however, as Berdiel sank one of his three, 3-pointers with 13:52 left, and Gomes added a dunk to give the Crusaders a 66-63 advantage with 13:23 remaining. Valpo's lead fluctuated between one and four points until three consecutive 3-pointers by Seth Colclasure, Roberto Nieves and Gomes keyed a 9-0 Crusader run that expanded the lead to 78-68 with 7:24 left.

The first half featured 11 ties until Valpo went on an 11-3 run to take a 47-39 lead into the locker room. Gomes led all scorers with 12 first-half points, while Berdiel added 11. Brian Taylor scored all 11 of his points in the first half for Cap's.

Gomes made 11 of 19 shots overall, including all three of his 3-point attempts, while King converted 13 of 19 from the floor.

Valpo finished shooting 49 percent (35-71) overall, including 63 percent (10-16) from 3-point range. Cap's shot 42 percent (27-65) and drained 21 of 28 free throws (75 percent).

Freshman Jimmie Miles led Valpo with five assists, while Gomes had three of the Crusaders' 11 steals. Cap's outrebounded Valpo 42-41.

Valpo plays is final exhibition game on Mon., Nov. 17 at 7:05 p.m. against Athletes In Action.