Crusaders Return Home Saturday to Host IUPUI in Mid-Con Battle
Game #16: Saturday, January 13, 1:35 p.m. CST
IUPUI (6-8, 1-0 Mid-Con) at Valpo (8-7, 2-0 Mid-Con)
Athletics-Recreation Center (5,000) - Valparaiso, Ind.
Coming Up in Crusader Hoops: Valparaiso is looking to match its longest winning streak over the past five years on Saturday afternoon as the Crusaders host IUPUI at the ARC. Winners of four straight, Valpo has won five games in a row three times during the stretch, and look to do it for a fourth time while trying to remain unbeaten in the Mid-Continent Conference.
On the Air: Saturday's game against IUPUI will be carried live by WVUR (95.1-FM, Valparaiso) and online at www.valpo.edu/athletics. The student-run radio station plans on carrying all Crusader women's basketball games this season live both over the air and online. Ron Castor and Becky Malawitz will call all the action live from the Gold Dome.
Series Notes: Valparaiso and IUPUI are meeting for the 23rd time in a series that dates back to February 21, 1980. The Crusaders hold an 18-4 edge all-time, including a 11-1 advantage against the Jaguars in Valparaiso. Valpo has won 10 of the last 11 games between the two schools dating back to 2002. Last year, the Crusaders posted a 55-48 victory over IUPUI at the ARC while the Jaguars earned a 63-55 win in Indianapolis.
Wrapping Up Centenary: Valparaiso shot 50% (11-of-22) from three-point range and limited the Ladies to just 14 first half points as the Crusaders defeated Centenary 69-43 on Monday evening in Shreveport, La. Launa Hochstetler led Valpo with a career-high 16 points and four assists while Betsy Rietema added 12 points. Carrie Myers scored 11 for the Brown and Gold while Tamra Braun blocked three shots to become Valpo's career leader in that category with 167.
Scouting IUPUI: The Jaguars opened Mid-Continent Conference play on Monday by snapping a four-game losing skid with a 50-46 victory at Oakland. Jernisha Cann led IUPUI with 16 points and 13 rebounds in the game and leads the team on the season as well averaging 13.1 points and 9.6 boards per contest. Tanika Mays contributes 11.6 points per night while Alicia Booyer adds 10.2 points per contest. IUPUI leads the Mid-Con shooting 72.1% from the free throw line on the year. The Jaguars are 3-6 on the road this season.
Braun Sets Valpo's Career Block Record: Tamra Braun rejected three Centenary shots on Monday evening, giving her 167 for her career. With her final swat of the night, the senior center moved past Michelle Mader (1988-1992) becoming the school's blocked shot leader. Braun has 24 blocks on the year thus far, and ranks among Valpo's single season leaders in each of her first three seasons with the Brown and Gold.
Crusaders Against the Mid-Con: As the Brown and Gold plays in its final season of Mid-Con competition, Valpo has posted a 145-80 (.644) record all-time in conference play. The 145 victories are a conference record, and Valpo is assured of leaving the league with the most wins ever in the Mid-Con. The Crusaders have won a pair of conference regular season crowns while finishing runner-up four times.
Myers Continues to Drain Three-Pointers: Carrie Myers had made at least one three-point field goal in all 15 games thus far this season. In fact, the senior guard has made two or more in 12 games, highlighted by five triples against both Bradley and Indiana State. Myers leads the Mid-Con with 2.9 threes made per game.
Braun Now Third All-Time in Rebounding After Reaching 700 Boards: Tamra Braun has moved into third place on the Crusaders' career rebounding charts with 728 boards during her four-year career. The senior center is 38 boards behind Jeanette Gray (1999-2003) for second place all-time. Sarrah Stricklett (1996-2000) holds the school mark with 772 rebounds, 44 more than Braun's current total.
Hochstetler Has Career Day at Centenary: Launa Hochstetler started Monday at Centenary for the first time in 10 games and made the most of the opportunity. The sophomore point guard scored a career-high 16 points, including making 4-of-5 from three point range. She also dished out four assists with just one turnover in the win.
Rebounding Big During Win Streak: Despite a -2.0 rebounding margin on the season, the Crusaders have been better on the glass during the recent win streak. Valpo has outrebounded teams by an average of 3.3 boards per night over the past four games.
Rietema Becomes 11th Member of Valpo's 1,000 Point Club: Betsy Rietema became the 11th player in school history to reach the 1,000-point mark in her career with her jumper at the 9:32 mark of the first half against Saint Francis (Ind.).
Home Sweet Home: Valparaiso continues to have success at home in recent years. The Brown and Gold has a 179-100 (.642) record all-time at the Athletics-Recreation Center. Since the 2001-2002 season, Valpo has posted a 57-15 (.792) mark at the ARC.
Valpo Leads the Mid-Con From Downtown: The Crusaders' 40.1% shooting clip from beyond the arc is currently best in the Mid-Continent Conference. In addition, the Brown and Gold's 6.7 triples per game also lead the league.
Myers Among Top Outside Shooters in the Country: Senior guard Carrie Myers currently ranks 16th in all of NCAA Division I in three-point field goals per game. Her 2.8 makes per contest lead the Mid-Continent Conference as well. In addition, her 43.3% accuracy beyond the arc ranks 24th best in the country through January 7.
Among the Nation's Best: Valpo ranks among the top-35 in the country in three statistical categories as a team. The Crusaders are 33rd in three-point field goals per game, making 6.4 per night. In addition, Valpo's 39.1% shooting from beyond the arc ranks 13th in NCAA Division I through January 7. Finally, Valpo is committing just 14.9 fouls per game, 28th fewest among all schools.
Triple Double for Rietema: Betsy Rietema turned in a rare triple-double for the Crusaders in the loss to Indiana State. The senior forward scored 14 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and dished out a career-best 10 assists. In addition, she committed just one turnover on the day.
Bombs Away from Three: Valpo's assault from three-point range against Bradley was nearly one for the record books. The 14 made triples tie for the third most by any Crusader team in a game all-time. The school record is 17, set against Central Michigan on December 8, 2004. Valpo made 15 threes last year against UMKC. The 14 triples are tied for third most among any team in the country this season.
Rietema Player of the Week: Betsy Rietema was named the Mid-Con's Player of the Week on December 5 after averaging 15.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 2.7 steals for Valpo during a five-day stretch. She had 20 points and grabbed eight rebounds against Bradley and added 12 points and eight boards at Loyola (Chicago). She posted a triple-double, 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, against Indiana State.
Rietema Moves Into Top-10 in School History in Scoring: Betsy Rietema has moved into 10th place all-time in school history in scoring. The senior forward has tallied 1,056 points, passing Carrie Forsman's (1992-1996) total of 1,015 points. Rietema is 21 points shy of Suzie Hammel (2000-2004) for ninth place on the career list and 25 points behind Lynda Kukla (1988-1992) for eighth place all-time.
Braun Among Top-15 in Scoring Also: Senior Tamra Braun has also moved into the top-15 on Valpo's career scoring list. The Valpo center currently has scored 950 points over her career passing Sarah Schmoyer (1992-1996) for 14th place all-time. She now needs 28 more points to match Cheryl Wilbrandt (1989-1993) for 13th place all-time.
Rietema Finds the Rebounding Charts: Betsy Rietema has moved into 15th place on Valparaiso's career rebounding list. The senior forward has brought down 475 rebounds to date. With 20 more boards she will match Denise Dunbar (1982-1986) for 14th spot all-time in a Crusader uniform.
Braun Among Mid-Con Best in Blocks: Tamra Braun's 167 career blocks are sixth best in Mid-Continent Conference history. Kim Wood (UW-Green Bay, 1992-1994) is fifth with 191 blocks.
Dishing the Rock: Betsy Rietema has also cracked the top-20 all-time at Valparaiso in assists. The senior moved into 18th place with her 196 career helpers, passing Tracy Saller's (1985-1987) mark of 194. She needs one more assist to equal Sheila Kalas' (1982-1985) total of 197.
Myers Deadly from Long Range: Carrie Myers enters play in third place on the career three-point list with 172 triples. Myers trails Suzie Hammel (2000-2004) by 64 threes for second all-time.
Rietema Likes Freebies: Betsy Rietema's 289 career free throws are third most in school history. She is more than 200 behind second place Sarrah Stricklett's (1996-2000) total of 494.
Braun 9th in Scoring from the Floor, Rietema on Verge of Top-10: Tamra Braun's 383 career field goals rank ninth in Valparaiso history. She is now 33 baskets behind Carrie Forsman (1992-1996). Betsy Rietema is on the verge of the top-10 with her 373 field goals, four behind Shari Toelke (1990-1994) for the tenth spot.
Freeman Winningest Coach in Mid-Con History: Head coach Keith Freeman's 217 victories are not only most in Valpo history, but also rank tops in Mid-Continent Conference history for career wins.
Freeman Adds Five Hoosiers for 2007-2008: Keith Freeman has signed five Indiana prep players to National Letters of Intent for the 2007-2008 season. Joining the Crusader roster next year are forward LaTice Jones (Gary, Ind./Roosevelt H.S.), guard Rashida Ray (Fort Wayne, Ind./Harding H.S.), guard Stephanie Thomas (Avon, Ind./Avon H.S.), Jasmine Ussery (Newburg, Ind./Castle H.S.), and Ashley Varner (South Bend, Ind./Washington H.S.).
IUPUI (6-8, 1-0 Mid-Con) at Valpo (8-7, 2-0 Mid-Con)
Athletics-Recreation Center (5,000) - Valparaiso, Ind.
Coming Up in Crusader Hoops: Valparaiso is looking to match its longest winning streak over the past five years on Saturday afternoon as the Crusaders host IUPUI at the ARC. Winners of four straight, Valpo has won five games in a row three times during the stretch, and look to do it for a fourth time while trying to remain unbeaten in the Mid-Continent Conference.
On the Air: Saturday's game against IUPUI will be carried live by WVUR (95.1-FM, Valparaiso) and online at www.valpo.edu/athletics. The student-run radio station plans on carrying all Crusader women's basketball games this season live both over the air and online. Ron Castor and Becky Malawitz will call all the action live from the Gold Dome.
Series Notes: Valparaiso and IUPUI are meeting for the 23rd time in a series that dates back to February 21, 1980. The Crusaders hold an 18-4 edge all-time, including a 11-1 advantage against the Jaguars in Valparaiso. Valpo has won 10 of the last 11 games between the two schools dating back to 2002. Last year, the Crusaders posted a 55-48 victory over IUPUI at the ARC while the Jaguars earned a 63-55 win in Indianapolis.
Wrapping Up Centenary: Valparaiso shot 50% (11-of-22) from three-point range and limited the Ladies to just 14 first half points as the Crusaders defeated Centenary 69-43 on Monday evening in Shreveport, La. Launa Hochstetler led Valpo with a career-high 16 points and four assists while Betsy Rietema added 12 points. Carrie Myers scored 11 for the Brown and Gold while Tamra Braun blocked three shots to become Valpo's career leader in that category with 167.
Scouting IUPUI: The Jaguars opened Mid-Continent Conference play on Monday by snapping a four-game losing skid with a 50-46 victory at Oakland. Jernisha Cann led IUPUI with 16 points and 13 rebounds in the game and leads the team on the season as well averaging 13.1 points and 9.6 boards per contest. Tanika Mays contributes 11.6 points per night while Alicia Booyer adds 10.2 points per contest. IUPUI leads the Mid-Con shooting 72.1% from the free throw line on the year. The Jaguars are 3-6 on the road this season.
Braun Sets Valpo's Career Block Record: Tamra Braun rejected three Centenary shots on Monday evening, giving her 167 for her career. With her final swat of the night, the senior center moved past Michelle Mader (1988-1992) becoming the school's blocked shot leader. Braun has 24 blocks on the year thus far, and ranks among Valpo's single season leaders in each of her first three seasons with the Brown and Gold.
Crusaders Against the Mid-Con: As the Brown and Gold plays in its final season of Mid-Con competition, Valpo has posted a 145-80 (.644) record all-time in conference play. The 145 victories are a conference record, and Valpo is assured of leaving the league with the most wins ever in the Mid-Con. The Crusaders have won a pair of conference regular season crowns while finishing runner-up four times.
Myers Continues to Drain Three-Pointers: Carrie Myers had made at least one three-point field goal in all 15 games thus far this season. In fact, the senior guard has made two or more in 12 games, highlighted by five triples against both Bradley and Indiana State. Myers leads the Mid-Con with 2.9 threes made per game.
Braun Now Third All-Time in Rebounding After Reaching 700 Boards: Tamra Braun has moved into third place on the Crusaders' career rebounding charts with 728 boards during her four-year career. The senior center is 38 boards behind Jeanette Gray (1999-2003) for second place all-time. Sarrah Stricklett (1996-2000) holds the school mark with 772 rebounds, 44 more than Braun's current total.
Hochstetler Has Career Day at Centenary: Launa Hochstetler started Monday at Centenary for the first time in 10 games and made the most of the opportunity. The sophomore point guard scored a career-high 16 points, including making 4-of-5 from three point range. She also dished out four assists with just one turnover in the win.
Rebounding Big During Win Streak: Despite a -2.0 rebounding margin on the season, the Crusaders have been better on the glass during the recent win streak. Valpo has outrebounded teams by an average of 3.3 boards per night over the past four games.
Rietema Becomes 11th Member of Valpo's 1,000 Point Club: Betsy Rietema became the 11th player in school history to reach the 1,000-point mark in her career with her jumper at the 9:32 mark of the first half against Saint Francis (Ind.).
Home Sweet Home: Valparaiso continues to have success at home in recent years. The Brown and Gold has a 179-100 (.642) record all-time at the Athletics-Recreation Center. Since the 2001-2002 season, Valpo has posted a 57-15 (.792) mark at the ARC.
Valpo Leads the Mid-Con From Downtown: The Crusaders' 40.1% shooting clip from beyond the arc is currently best in the Mid-Continent Conference. In addition, the Brown and Gold's 6.7 triples per game also lead the league.
Myers Among Top Outside Shooters in the Country: Senior guard Carrie Myers currently ranks 16th in all of NCAA Division I in three-point field goals per game. Her 2.8 makes per contest lead the Mid-Continent Conference as well. In addition, her 43.3% accuracy beyond the arc ranks 24th best in the country through January 7.
Among the Nation's Best: Valpo ranks among the top-35 in the country in three statistical categories as a team. The Crusaders are 33rd in three-point field goals per game, making 6.4 per night. In addition, Valpo's 39.1% shooting from beyond the arc ranks 13th in NCAA Division I through January 7. Finally, Valpo is committing just 14.9 fouls per game, 28th fewest among all schools.
Triple Double for Rietema: Betsy Rietema turned in a rare triple-double for the Crusaders in the loss to Indiana State. The senior forward scored 14 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and dished out a career-best 10 assists. In addition, she committed just one turnover on the day.
Bombs Away from Three: Valpo's assault from three-point range against Bradley was nearly one for the record books. The 14 made triples tie for the third most by any Crusader team in a game all-time. The school record is 17, set against Central Michigan on December 8, 2004. Valpo made 15 threes last year against UMKC. The 14 triples are tied for third most among any team in the country this season.
Rietema Player of the Week: Betsy Rietema was named the Mid-Con's Player of the Week on December 5 after averaging 15.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 2.7 steals for Valpo during a five-day stretch. She had 20 points and grabbed eight rebounds against Bradley and added 12 points and eight boards at Loyola (Chicago). She posted a triple-double, 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, against Indiana State.
Rietema Moves Into Top-10 in School History in Scoring: Betsy Rietema has moved into 10th place all-time in school history in scoring. The senior forward has tallied 1,056 points, passing Carrie Forsman's (1992-1996) total of 1,015 points. Rietema is 21 points shy of Suzie Hammel (2000-2004) for ninth place on the career list and 25 points behind Lynda Kukla (1988-1992) for eighth place all-time.
Braun Among Top-15 in Scoring Also: Senior Tamra Braun has also moved into the top-15 on Valpo's career scoring list. The Valpo center currently has scored 950 points over her career passing Sarah Schmoyer (1992-1996) for 14th place all-time. She now needs 28 more points to match Cheryl Wilbrandt (1989-1993) for 13th place all-time.
Rietema Finds the Rebounding Charts: Betsy Rietema has moved into 15th place on Valparaiso's career rebounding list. The senior forward has brought down 475 rebounds to date. With 20 more boards she will match Denise Dunbar (1982-1986) for 14th spot all-time in a Crusader uniform.
Braun Among Mid-Con Best in Blocks: Tamra Braun's 167 career blocks are sixth best in Mid-Continent Conference history. Kim Wood (UW-Green Bay, 1992-1994) is fifth with 191 blocks.
Dishing the Rock: Betsy Rietema has also cracked the top-20 all-time at Valparaiso in assists. The senior moved into 18th place with her 196 career helpers, passing Tracy Saller's (1985-1987) mark of 194. She needs one more assist to equal Sheila Kalas' (1982-1985) total of 197.
Myers Deadly from Long Range: Carrie Myers enters play in third place on the career three-point list with 172 triples. Myers trails Suzie Hammel (2000-2004) by 64 threes for second all-time.
Rietema Likes Freebies: Betsy Rietema's 289 career free throws are third most in school history. She is more than 200 behind second place Sarrah Stricklett's (1996-2000) total of 494.
Braun 9th in Scoring from the Floor, Rietema on Verge of Top-10: Tamra Braun's 383 career field goals rank ninth in Valparaiso history. She is now 33 baskets behind Carrie Forsman (1992-1996). Betsy Rietema is on the verge of the top-10 with her 373 field goals, four behind Shari Toelke (1990-1994) for the tenth spot.
Freeman Winningest Coach in Mid-Con History: Head coach Keith Freeman's 217 victories are not only most in Valpo history, but also rank tops in Mid-Continent Conference history for career wins.
Freeman Adds Five Hoosiers for 2007-2008: Keith Freeman has signed five Indiana prep players to National Letters of Intent for the 2007-2008 season. Joining the Crusader roster next year are forward LaTice Jones (Gary, Ind./Roosevelt H.S.), guard Rashida Ray (Fort Wayne, Ind./Harding H.S.), guard Stephanie Thomas (Avon, Ind./Avon H.S.), Jasmine Ussery (Newburg, Ind./Castle H.S.), and Ashley Varner (South Bend, Ind./Washington H.S.).
