ORU may have been bracing for very difficult game against Valparaiso, given the 20-point thrashing they got from the Crusaders at the ARC in January, but they also were aware that VU has been struggling lately and is without Shawn Huff. Both Jonathan Bluitt and Jimmy Miles were very questionable for the game, but both started. However, Miles only played a few minutes, while Bluitt was able to play longer. Valpo jumped out to a very early lead, and stayed pretty much even throughout the first half, trailing by 3 at the half, 38-35. But the second half was much like second halves have often been lately for VU - opportunity for a let-down. Eventually, ORU was able to build a double-digit lead. Valpo suddenly found some wide-open shots for Seth Colclasure late in the game and was able to bring the deficit back down to 6, but the Crusaders were not able to get any closer than that, and the Mabee Center undefeated streak against Valpo continues with ORU winning, 87-78.
UMKC visited Western Hall in Macomb in a totally meaningless game (since UMKC had clinched the 3 seed and Western Illinois the 8). Apparently they had an exciting game all the same, with the Roos prevailing, 77-73.
After beating Valpo, all eyes in Golden Eagle land were pointed out west to Cedar City, awaiting word of the IUPUI-SUU contest. As they celebrated their outgoing seniors, yahoo.com was reporting that Southern Utah had the halftime lead, 38-33. Before long in the 2nd half, the T-Birds had increased the lead to 15 points at 52-37, and Greg Rakestraw of ESPN950 in Indianapolis was beside himself watching the demise of IUPUI's quest for the #1 seed. Time after time he had to report a Jaguar player had driven the lane and been called for a charging foul. With 12 minutes to go, the issue was still in doubt, given IUPUI's uncanny ability to come back from 20 point deficits this season, but as the clock wound down, things went from bad to worse. In the end, they lost by 21, 83-62, handing the #1 seed to ORU.
Men's Final Standings after tonight's games:
Conf. Overall
School W L Pct W L Pct Seed
ORU 13 3 0.813 18 11 0.621 #1
IUPUI 13 3 0.813 18 9 0.667 #2
UMKC 11 5 0.688 14 13 0.519 #3
Valpo 8 8 0.500 16 11 0.593 #4
SUU 8 8 0.500 10 19 0.345 #5
CSU 8 8 0.500 9 18 0.333 #6
Oakland 6 10 0.375 11 17 0.393 #7
WIU 3 13 0.188 7 20 0.260 #8
CC 2 14 0.125 4 23 0.148
The men aren't the only VU basketball team struggling right now. The Lady Crusaders were hoping for a sweep of UMKC, having thrashed them 69-31 in December at the ARC, but this contest was quite a bit different, with UMKC grabbing the lead late in the 1st half and not letting go. VU made another late run, but this is the team that generally has their exciting comebacks from double-digit deficits fall just short at the buzzer, and the Lady Roos hung on for the win, 69-63.
Likewise, the Lady Cougars of Chicago State handled the Oakland Lady Grizzlies, taking a significant lead in the first half, and keeping Oakland at bay in the 2nd half to win, 70-59.
ORU moved into a tie with Valpo by crushing the Ladies of Centenary, 70-43.
Southern Utah sealed the #8 seed, eliminating Centenary from the tourney, by outlasting IUPUI, 58-55.
Updated Women's Standings after today's games:
Conf. Overall Remaining Conf. Games
School W L Pct W L Pct Home Away
1. WIU 13 2 0.867 21 4 0.840 UMKC
2. IUPUI 10 5 0.667 15 10 0.600 CSU
3. Valpo 9 6 0.600 15 11 0.577 ORU
4. ORU 9 6 0.600 15 11 0.577 VU
5. Oakland 8 7 0.533 11 15 0.423 SUU
6. CSU 7 8 0.467 12 14 0.462 IUPUI
7. UMKC 7 8 0.467 9 17 0.346 WIU
8. SUU 3 12 0.200 10 16 0.385 OU
9. CC 2 14 0.128 3 24 0.111
No comments:
Post a Comment