Wednesday, December 08, 2004

After making just 14 three-point field goals in their first five games, the Valparaiso Crusaders erupted for a school record 17 triples on Wednesday night as the Brown and Gold defeated Central Michigan 81-60 at the Athletics-Recreation Center.

The Crusaders shattered the old record for threes in a game, which was 14 set twice during the 1991-1992 season.

Valpo used an early 16-2 run over six minutes put the Crusaders in front 16-6 with 12:05 remaining in the first half. The Brown and Gold went on another 11-0 run late in the first half to build a 43-16 lead capped off by a three-pointer from Carrie Myers (Stickleyville, Va./Lee H.S.), one of seven treys for the sophomore. Valpo took a 43-20 lead into intermission. The lead continued to grow in the second half, as Valpo led by as many as 35, 81-46, with 3:22 left before the Chippewas scored the game's final 14 points.

Myers scored a career-high 23 points, 15 more than her previous best, while making 7-of-12 attempts behind the arc. She added five rebounds and five assists.

Lauren Bechtold (Hebron, Ind./Hebron H.S.), making just her third career start, added a career-best as well, scoring 17 points, including five three-pointers. She dished out a career-high seven assists as well, while playing all 40 minutes.

Jamie Gutowski (Crown Point, Ind./Andrean H.S.) added 14 points, while Jenna Stangler (St. Michael, Minn./St. Michael-Albertville H.S.) added 11, her sixth straight double-figure game to start the year.

Stacey Verhoff led Central Michigan (4-3) with 16 points, shooting 6-of-8 from the floor. Chasidy Myers added 13 points and grabbed a game-high nine rebounds.

Valpo shot 54.8% (17-of-31) from three-point range, while committing just nine turnovers for the game. The Crusaders made just two miscues in the first half. Central Michigan was held to 35.0% (21-of-60) shooting from the floor.

Valparaiso (3-3) moves to .500 on the season, and will return to the ARC on Saturday afternoon for a 2:05 p.m. contest against Miami (Ohio).