Valpo Snaps IPFW's Winning Streak with 63-47 Win

Saturday, December 18

Valparaiso, Ind.

8:00 p.m.

Purdue Fort Wayne

Valparaiso

Jeremy Mixon led IPFW with 14 points at Valpo

Valpo Snaps IPFW's Winning Streak with 63-47 Win

12/18/2010 10:58:56 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Valparaiso, IN - IPFW's six-game winning streak came to a halt on Saturday night as the Valparaiso Crusaders held the Mastodons to just 26.0% shooting in a 63-47 win at the Athletics Recreation Center.

The off-shooting night was by far the 'Dons worst of the season, making just 13 of 50 shots from the field. IPFW's previous low night was 38.3% in an overtime loss earlier this year at Xavier.

Valpo (7-4) did all the damage they would need to in the first half, bolting out to an 11 point lead on a basket inside by sophomore forward Kevin Van Wijk. Van Wijk came into the game averaging just six points a game, but feasted on the Mastodons in the paint. Early foul trouble on junior forwards Trey McCorkle and John Peckinpaugh freed up Van Wijk to score 12 first half points and stake the Crusaders to a 39-21 lead at the break.

In the second half, IPFW got a spark from junior guard Antwaun Boyd. Boyd scored seven straight points at one juncture, but Valpo kept IPFW at bay. IPFW would get as close as 15 in the second half on a triple by freshman forward Michael Kibiloski, but the Crusaders were content to trade baskets and run clock, finally making it to the final buzzer with a 16 point victory.

Van Wijk was the leading scorer for Valpo with 16 points. Senior guard Brandon Wood and senior forward Cory Johnson added 12 and 11 points, respectively.

IPFW junior guard Jeremy Mixon, who did the bulk of the Mastodons' scoring in the first half, finished with a team-high 14 points. Sophomore guard Frank Gaines added 12 in the loss.

The loss drops IPFW to 7-3 on the season and snapped a two-game winning streak over the Crusaders.

Next up for the Mastodons will be a date with the Purdue Boilermakers on Tuesday (12/21) at Mackey Arena. Game time is 6:30 p.m. and can be seen on the Big Ten network or listened to on Fort Wayne's ESPN 1380 a.m. Pregame is 6:15 p.m.

~Dons~