Game recap: Win and Advance!



Not all statistics are created equally.  Detroit had the better numbers when it came to points in the paint (40-26), points off turnovers (15-12), fast break points (19-8), and rebounds (40-36).  They also placed five players in double figures to Valpo's three.  Leading those statistical categories by those margins is typically enough for a victory, but this proved to be no typical game. 

The second half performance by Crusader all conference player Brandon Wood was one to remember.  With the Crusaders needing a spark, Wood put the team on his back and carried them to victory.  His 30 point performance, including 23 in the second half, led all scorers.  Wood shot an incredible 7-10 from behind the arc including 7-8 in the second half.  Wood went on one of his pattented hot streaks where he was nearly invincible.  It started about two minutes into the second half when he drained his first three of the night.  When Detroit refused to go away by making it a two point game with at the 3:43 mark on a Ray McCallum free throw the Crusaders again looked to Wood to save the day.  He lead Valpo on a 16-6 run with several more three pointers to close out the Titans and send the Crusaders to a semi-final date with tournament host Milwaukee.

Back to those statistics....Valpo did lead in several key areas.  The Crusaders had the edge is bench points (27-16) and three point shooting (56% - 29%).  I also mentioned in the game preview post about the playing time and how Valpo's depth would be a key.  Detroit played only 6 guys 10 minutes or more.  Valpo played 9 guys for at least 10 minutes tonight.  Running guys in and out and keeping legs fresh seemed to help as Valpo went on the decisive game ending run.  Detroit's season ends, probably sooner then they expected, but they will return the overwhelming majority of their team and should be one of the league leaders next season.

With tonight's victory Valparaiso will face off tomorrow night against the number one seeded Milwaukee Panthers.  More on that one later.  Watching the game with me this evening was fellow Valparaiso Alum Brent Gilles, and my good luck charm Bobblehead Homer (pictured below).