VALPARAISO (0-2, 0-0 Mid-Con) vs. SAINT XAVIER (2-4, 0-0 CCAC)

WHAT: Valparaiso State Farm Classic

WHEN: Sunday, November 28, 2004, 3 p.m. CST.

WHERE: Genesis Center (6,200), Gary, Ind.

OTHER MATCHUP: IU-Northwest vs. Purdue Calumet, 1 p.m. CST.

RADIO: WVUR (95.1-FM, Valparaiso). Andy Viano and Brad Spata broadcasting. Also on the web at www.valpo.edu/athletics.
WJOB (1230-AM, Hammond). Brian Jennings and Julie Fallon broadcasting. WJOB will carry both games of the State Farm Classic.

TV: Tape Delay. Comcast Cablevision Local Access. Dick Harlan and Paul Curtis broadcasting. The game will air on Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 3 at 12 p.m.

THE COACHES: Valparaiso is led by Keith Freeman, who is in his 17th season of coaching, and 11th with the Crusaders. He is 304-167 overall and 175-120 at Valpo. Saint Xavier is led by Bob Hallberg, who is 588-314 in his 30th season overall and 102-41 in his 5th season with the Cougars.

SERIES RECORD: This marks the first meeting ever between Valparaiso and Saint Xavier.

After an eight-day lay off for Thanksgiving, Valparaiso will return to the hardwood on Sunday afternoon at the Valparaiso State Farm Classic held at the Genesis Center in Gary, Ind. to battle Saint Xavier. The Crusaders are looking for their first victory of the season after dropping a pair of contests at the Minnesota Subway Classic.

BOONE MOVES UP VALPO'S ASSIST CHARTS: With 12 assists in the two games in Minnesota last weekend, Katie Boone has moved into third place on Valpo's career assist list. The senior point guard now has 371 helpers, passing Lisa Diefenthaler's (1992-1996) 367 assist total. She trails Maureen Drabicki (1994-1998) by 53 for second place all-time.

BOONE ALSO MOVES UP STEAL AND FREE THROW LISTS: Katie Boone also moved into ninth place on Valpo's career steals chart, while moving into tenth on the free throws made list after last weekend. Boone now has 152 career thefts and 206 all-time free throws. She is 15 steals shy of seventh place on the steals list and 11 free throws away from moving up to ninth on that list.

STANGLER EARNS ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM HONORS AT SUBWAY CLASSIC: Jenna Stangler was named to the Subway Classic All-Tournament Team after averaging 19.0 points per game. The senior scored 23 points against Virginia Tech in the opener. Stangler also shot 51.6% from the floor while averaging 36.0 minutes per night.

BRAUN SETS CAREER HIGH FOR SWATS: Tamra Braun set a new career high with four blocked shots for the Crusaders against Arkansas State last Saturday night. She had previously swatted away three shots in a game three times. The sophomore had 31 blocks as a freshman, tied for sixth most on Valpo's single season charts. She has six through two games this year.

SAINT XAVIER NOTES: Saint Xavier snapped a two-game losing skid on Tuesday evening with a 78-45 victory on the road at Trinity International.

Jacki DiMaggio leads the Cougars in scoring on the season. The junior has scored 11.5 points per game, while also leading Saint Xavier on the boards. Her 6.7 rebounds per game include 2.5 on the offensive end. In addition, she is 11-for-12 from the free throw line this year.

Dani Engelman has added 11.0 points per game. The sophomore is also dishing out 4.5 assists per contest.

As a team, the Cougars have forced 30.7 turnovers per game and are +8.5 in turnover margin. They have registered 14.8 steals per game as well.

Saint Xavier will face another Mid-Continent Conference opponent on Wednesday night as the Cougars travel to Chicago State.