FACTS & STATS: Site: Athletics-Recreation Center (5,000) -- Valparaiso, Indiana. Television: None. Home Record: Evansville 2-2, Valparaiso 3-0. Away Record: Evansville 1-2, Valparaiso 3-1. Neutral Record: Evansville 0-0, Valparaiso 2-0. Conference Record: Evansville 0-0, Valparaiso 2-0. Series Record: Evansville leads, 65-16.
GAME NOTES: The Evansville Purple Aces and the Valparaiso Crusaders will battle this evening in non-conference action. Evansville opened the season by losing four of its first five games, but the team has rebounded to post back- to-back victories. The Purple Aces were most recently in action on Saturday, as they posted a 72-62 decision over Austin Peay. A member of the Missouri Valley Conference, Evansville will face a number of challenges when league play begins. Valparaiso is off to a tremendous 8-1 start, including 2-0 as a new member of the Horizon League. The Crusaders have posted six consecutive victories since their only defeat, a nine-point setback against a strong Vanderbilt team on the road. The most recent triumph during the current six- game winning streak came on Saturday by an 81-68 final over Detroit. Evansville owns a commanding 65-16 series advantage over Valparaiso, and the Purple Aces won last season's meeting by a 69-64 final.
In the win over Austin Peay on Saturday, Evansville got strong performances from Darin Granger, Shy Ely and Nate Garner. Granger came off the bench to lead his team with 17 points on the strength of a 4-of-6 shooting effort from three-point range. Shy Ely came through with 16 points, and Nate Garner pitched in 15 points. The Purple Aces committed only 10 turnovers in the clash and earned a 17-12 edge in points from the foul line. They also shot a respectable 48 percent from the floor. Ely currently leads Evansville with 12.9 ppg, and Jason Holsinger checks in with 11.9 ppg. The Purple Aces have had trouble generating offense for much of this young season, as they are only averaging 58.4 ppg. Fortunately, they have been able to limit opponents to 60.3 ppg.
In Saturday's conference win over Detroit, Valparaiso shot a staggering 66.7 percent from the floor, including a 10-of-20 effort from three-point range. Also, the Crusaders nailed 11-of-12 free throws, overshadowing the fact that they did not grab a single offensive rebound in the tilt. Four players reached double figures in scoring in the win, and Brandon McPherson led the charge with 19 points. Bryan Bouchie added 16 points off the bench, and Shawn Huff tallied 15 points. Rounding out the foursome was Urule Igbavboa with 11 points. The Crusaders are averaging 74.3 ppg this season while allowing 63.2 ppg to the opposition on 39.3 percent shooting from the field. Huff leads Valpo with 13.1 ppg, and Igbavboa checks in with 11.6 ppg and 7.2 rpg. Rounding out a trio of double-digit scorers is Jarryd Loyd with 10.6 ppg.
Valparaiso is the smart pick tonight, as the squad is playing with a wealth of confidence. Expect the Crusaders to jump on top early and hold a lead throughout the contest.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Valparaiso 71, Evansville 64
Evansville+12
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