IUPUI (3-8, 0-1 Mid-Con) at VALPARAISO (6-6, 1-0 Mid-Con)

WHEN: Tuesday, January 6, 2004, 7:05 p.m. CST.

WHERE: Athletics-Recreation Center (5,000), Valparaiso, Ind.

RADIO: WVUR (95.1-FM), Valparaiso, Ind. Andy Viano will handle the play-by-play with Jesse Shale providing the color commentary. Brad Spata is the sideline reporter.

TV: Comcast Cablevision Ch. 43-tape delay. Dick Harlan will handle the play-by-play, while Paul Curtis will provide color commentary. The game will air on Saturday, January 9 at 2 p.m.

THE COACHES: Valparaiso is led by Keith Freeman, who is in his 16th season of coaching, and 10th with the Crusaders. He is 290-159 overall and 161-112 at Valpo. IUPUI is led by Kris Simpson, who is 93-135 in her 9th season overall and with the Jaguars.

SERIES RECORD: Valparaiso leads the all-time series with the Jaguars 12-3 dating back to a Crusader win 70-67 in Indianapolis in February 25, 1984. Valpo has won four straight in the series.

LAST MEETING: Valpo defeated IUPUI 66-56 here at the ARC on February 22, 2003 behind 17 points by Jeanette Gray. Tiffany Kyser led the Jaguars with 17 points as well.

After playing three straight games on the road, Valparaiso returns to the ARC on Tuesday evening for its Mid-Continent Conference home opener as the Crusaders entertain IUPUI. The Crusaders are coming off of a 61-56 triumph at Oakland on Saturday to open Mid-Con play.

BRAUN SETS SCHOOL RECORD IN WIN: Tamra Braun set a new school mark for shooting on Saturday afternoon, going a perfect 10-for-10 from the floor. The freshman scored 24 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, both career bests. Her shooting mark bettered Robyn Lippert's 8-for-9 night against Western Michigan on December 12, 1990.

KNOESTER PROVIDES SPARK FROM THE BENCH: Kathryn Knoester has helped to jump start the Valpo offense, coming off of the bench to score in double figures in four of the last five games. She is averaging 9.4 points per game over those five contests.

WIN AT OAKLAND RARE FOR VALPO: The Crusaders victory at Oakland on Saturday was the Brown and Gold's first win in Rochester, Mich. in five years. Valpo had last won at Oakland 75-67 on January 7, 1998.

STANGLER KEEPS ON FIRING: Jenna Stangler posted another double-figure scoring night at Oakland, giving her seven for the season. Her 12.3 points per game lead the team, while she also is grabbing a team-best 6.2 rebounds per night. Nearly half of her 74 boards (35) have come on the offensive end.

BOONE, HAMMEL READY TO CRACK TOP-TEN IN STEALS: Katie Boone and Suzie Hammel are both on the verge of moving into the top-ten for career steals. Boone's 127 are just one shy of tenth place all-time, while Hammel currently has 124 swipes. Teammate Kathryn Knoester already has moved into the top-ten with 130 thefts during her stay at Valpo, ranking ninth all-time.

IUPUI NOTES: IUPUI opened Mid-Con action on Saturday dropping a 71-52 decision at home to conference preseason favorite Western Illinois. The loss snapped a two-game winning streak for the Jaguars.

The Jaguars have been led offensively by Kia Hayes and Natalie Hendricks thus far this season. Hayes is averaging 13.0 points per contest following a 19-point effort against the Westerwinds on Saturday.

Hendricks is tallying 10.7 points per game and is shooting 80.0% from the free throw line. Jessica James is the team's leading rebounder, grabbing 5.6 boards per night to go along with her 9.4 points per game.

Tonight marks IUPUI's first road game since December 6, as the Jaguars have played five straight in their own gym. The Jaguars will travel to Oakland on Saturday afternoon before returning home for four straight contests.