Freshman Carrie Myers (Stickleyville, Va./Lee H.S.) led three Crusaders in double-figures as Valparaiso defeated the Reebok Lady Stars 73-65 in exhibition action on Sunday afternoon at the Athletics-Recreation Center.

Myers scored 15 points on 5-of-8 shooting from beyond the three-point arc, including three treys in the first half to lead Valpo. Katie Boone (Greenwood, Ind./Center Grove H.S.) and Jenna Stangler (St. Michael, Minn./St. Michael-Albertville H.S.) each added 11 points in the Crusaders lone tune-up before the regular season opener.

A 7-0 run late in the first half, keyed by five points from Kathryn Knoester (Grand Rapids, Mich./Christian H.S.) gave Valpo a 30-19 lead and the Crusaders never looked back. The Reebok Lady Stars closed to within six, 32-26, at halftime, and cut the deficit to one, 49-48, at the 10:57 mark of the second half, but never took the lead.

Meredith Baugher (Berea, Ohio/Berea H.S.) led all rebounders with ten boards to go along with nine points for the Brown and Gold, while Stangler and Lauren Bechtold (Hebron, Ind./Hebron H.S.) each dished out five assists.

Kina Brown, a Western Michigan product, led the Reebok Lady Stars with 15 points, while Heather Cassady and Amy Amstutz-Watson each added ten points. Amstutz-Watson and Valpo grad Jeanette Gray each grabbed eight rebounds.

Valpo shot 43.5% from the floor, but just 50% from the free throw line in the game, while the Reebok Lady Stars made 40.3% of their shots from the floor and shot 70% from the line. Each team turned the ball over 17 times.

Valparaiso will open the regular season on November 15 in Eugene, Ore. as the Crusaders participate in the Women's Sports Federation Classic. Valpo will face the host Oregon Ducks in the opening round, with tip-off set for approximately 8:30 p.m. CST.