Saturday, November 13, 2004

Valparaiso, Ind. - Dan Oppland scored 18 points and Ron Howard added 10 as Valpo defeated Wisconsin-River Falls 78-55 in an exhibition game.

Valpo, which won both exhibition contests, shot 54 percent from the field (31-57), including 61 percent in the second half. In addition to Oppland and Howard, six Crusaders scored five-or-more points. Jarryd Loyd topped Valpo with seven assists, while Ali Berdiel added five. Valpo outrebounded the Falcons 41-21 as Aris Williams led the Crusaders with six.

The Crusaders, who led the entire game, held as much as a 17-point advantage in the first half. Oppland netted 10 points and grabbed four rebounds in the first 20 minutes.

Wisconsin-River Falls cut its deficit to 56-44 with 9:52 remaining before Valpo went on a 9-1 run to post a 20-point lead with 7:39 left. Freshman Vincent Humphrey scored seven points during a five-minute stretch late in the game to extend Valpo's lead to 26 before the final score.

Humphrey scored nine, while Berdiel and Colclasure added eight for Valpo. Hans Hoeg led Wisconsin-River Falls with 14 points.

Wisconsin-River Falls is coached by Rick Bowen, father of Valpo assistant coach Matt Bowen.

Valpo opens the regular season Friday night (Nov. 19) at Cincinnati beginning at 7:05 p.m. CT (8 p.m. ET).