CENTRAL MICHIGAN (4-2, 0-0 MAC) at VALPARAISO (2-3, 0-0 Mid-Con)

WHEN: Wednesday, December 8, 2004, 7:05 p.m. CST.

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

RADIO: WVUR (95.1-FM, Valparaiso). Brent Whitlock and Ken LaVicka broadcasting. Also available on the web at www.valpo.edu/athletics.

TV: Tape Delay. Comcast Cablevision Local Access. Dick Harlan and Paul Curtis broadcasting. The game will air on Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 10 at 12 p.m.

THE COACHES: Valparaiso is led by Keith Freeman, who is in his 17th season of coaching, and 11th with the Crusaders. He is 306-168 overall and 177-121 at Valpo. Central Michigan is led by Eileen Kleinfelter, who is 252-141 in her 14th season overall and 30-60 in her 4th season with the Chippewas.

SERIES RECORD: Valparaiso leads the all-time series with Central Michigan 1-0. This is the first meeting between the two schools at the ARC.

LAST MEETING: Valpo rallied from a nine-point halftime deficit to defeat the Chippewas 66-46 on November 30, 2004 in Mount Pleasant, Mich. Suzie Hammel led Valpo with 16 points, while Chasidy Myers scored 16 points for Central Michigan.

After a thrilling overtime victory over Butler on Saturday at the State Farm Hoosier State Classic, Valparaiso returns to the Athletics-Recreation Center on Wednesday night to meet Miami (Ohio). The Crusaders are looking to even their record on the season with a victory.

STANGLER TO THE RESCUE: Not only has Jenna Stangler been the team's leading scorer on the season, the senior tied the game at the buzzer against Butler to send it into overtime. The Crusaders ended up winning the game 61-51.

DOUBLE TROUBLE: Jenna Stangler leads the team in scoring averaging 18.6 points per game. The senior forward has tallied double-figures in each of her first five games this season. She has tallied 20 or more points twice already this year.

BOONE CONTINUES TO DISH THE ROCK: Katie Boone has done a stellar job at the point guard position for the Crusaders thus far this year. Her 5.4 assist-to-turnover margin includes 27 helpers and just five miscues on the season. Over the last three games, Boone has dished out 15 assists while committing just one miscue.

CRUSADERS TAKE CARE OF BASKETBALL: The Crusaders are averaging just 12.0 turnover per game, while forcing 18.0 from opponents. Valpo leads the Mid-Con in both fewest turnovers per game and turnover margin (+6.0).

RIETEMA SOLID ON VARIOUS FRONTS: Betsy Rietema did a little of everything for the Crusaders on Saturday against Butler. The sophomore scored 12 points, including making 4-of-5 from the free throw line, while grabbing seven rebounds and dishing out a team-high five assists.

ANYONE HOME?: Valpo is still looking for a long distance connection this season. The Crusaders are shooting just 23.7% (14-of-59) from three-point range, even after knocking down 4-of-11 (36%) on Saturday against Butler. Jamie Gutowski finally got dialed in, hitting three triples in Valpo's comeback win.

CENTRAL MICHIGAN NOTES: Central Michigan arrives at the ARC riding a two-game winning streak and winners in three of its last four contests. The Chippewas defeated Wright State 74-63 at home in overtime on Saturday.

Chasidy Myers leads Central Michigan in scoring, averaging 12.0 points per game. The junior has come off of the bench in all six contests so far and is shooting 56.0% from the floor.

Casey Manning has added 10.2 points per game on the season, while grabbing 5.8 rebounds per outing. Her 93.8% free throw shooting ranks second in the Mid-American Conference, trailing only teammate Ann Skufca who is a perfect 14-of-14 on the year. Skufca is also the team's leading rebounder, grabbing 6.3 boards per contest.

Central Michigan leads the MAC in assist-to-turnover ratio at 1.14, dishing out 18.50 assists per contest. The Chippewas are also tops in the conference in rebounding margin at +10.5 and rank second in scoring margin at +19.2. Central Michigan has had 16 different players see action this season.