Friday, August 12, 2011

Valparaiso continued its foreign tour on Thursday evening with its second of three games in Hangzhou, China, falling to Zhejiang Chouzhou 76-51.

“This was a professional team that we played tonight,” head coach Keith Freeman said.  “The quality of competition gave us a great opportunity to grow and improve as a team.”

Fifth-year senior Ashley Varner (South Bend, Ind./Washington H.S.) led the way for the Crusaders with 16 points and eight rebounds.  She missed all of the 2010-2011 season with an injury, earning a redshirt year.  Gina Lange (Wyoming, Minn./Forest Lake H.S.) added 11 points and six boards while Laura Richards (Connersville, Ind./Connersville H.S.) chipped in six points.  Betsy Adams (Monticello, Ind./Twin Lakes H.S.) had a team-high three assists for Valpo.

“I was proud of the grit and fight we played with,” Freeman added.  “We get an opportunity to make a few adjustments and play the same team again tomorrow (Friday).”

The Crusaders’ game with Zhejiang Chouzhou on Friday evening in China will wrap up the competition part of the trip for the Brown and Gold, which has been in Hangzhou the entire time thus far.  On Saturday Valparaiso will head to Beijing for the final few days of the trip, touring the Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City.