Game Wrap Up: Bench mob

Valpo only played 8 guys tonight, only got a combined 8 shot attempts for star players KVW and Rowdy, were a minus 6 on the offensive boards and turned it over a whopping 23 times.  All of these things and Valpo still managed to come out victorious.  It was a pretty boring game, but I'll take a boring win over an exciting loss anyday.

The bench guys came in and really carried the team with a combined 30 points.  Richie Edwards seems to have found his grove offensively.  He led four Crusaders in double figuers with 16.  KVW managed 13 and from what I heard puked on the bench (do managers clean that up?).  Matt Kenney scored 11 and Ryan managed to get into double figures with 10 by converting free throws at the end of the game.

Richie has played very well these last two games and four minutes.  He is hitting some three pointers, making good shot decisions, rebounding better, and playing physical defense with some of the biggest fellas in the league.  His improved play could prove huge these last few weeks of the season.  Valpo shot the ball well, when they got shots.  They hit 8-17 from behind the arc and only missed two shots from inside the three point line.  This solid shooting percentage combined with some real good defense on WSU (29.6% from the field) is what allowed Valpo to win this game.

I'm very encouraged by the defensive play the last few games.  I thought Valpo did a nice job against an offensively challenged Milwaukee team, played about as well as you can against Detroit in that second half, and just locked down the Raiders.  Valpo hasn't been known this season for their defense, but they have really improved in that area lately.  Besides the defense and the improved play from Edwards, the fact that the team didn't have to rely on Kevin or Ryan tonight to carry the load was nice to see.  I know Wright State is not a world beater by any means, but to win without Ryan or Kevin meeting their averages is great.  What isn't great was the turnovers, 23 on the night.  You can't this and win very often.  Erik Buggs has stepped on the sideline/baseline three times now in the last two games.  He is better then this and will need to play like he is capable this next weekend.  For Wright State, Julius Mays continued his All HL campaign with 20 points.

Player of the Game: Richie Edwards - 16 points, 6-7 from the field, 2-2 from three point range, 4 rebounds, 2 blocked shots

POTG Runner Up: Matt Kenney - 11 points, 2 big threes, 4 assists

Up Next: Valpo goes on the road for the last and biggest road trip of the conference year.  The first stop is against league co-leader Cleveland State on Thursday night. 

Please be sure to click the Cuts and Shaves link and check out Valpo fan Matthew Carter's barber shop.  If you are in the area stop by for a cut, shave, and some VU hoops talk.