Sunday, December 01, 2002

Jeanette Gray's (Valparaiso, Ind./Valparaiso H.S.) double-double was not enough for Valparaiso as the Crusaders fell to Navy 58-47 on Sunday afternoon at the Athletics-Recreation Center.

The Crusaders fought back from a ten-point halftime deficit to tie the game at 43 with 6:17 to play after a pair of Jamie Gutowski (Crown Point, Ind./Andrean H.S.) free throws. The Midshipmen then scored on eight of their final nine possessions beginning with a 10-0 run over the next 2:44 to pull away and record the victory.

The first half was tight for the first ten minutes as the two teams exchanged leads six times. Navy went on a 14-0 run over six and a half minutes to build a 27-16 lead and took a 31-21 lead into the locker room.

Valpo clawed back into the game in the second half, but poor shooting all game long doomed the Crusaders. Valpo shot just 30.4% (17-of-56) from the floor for the game and committed 16 turnovers leading to 14 Navy points.

Suzie Hammel (Lafayette, Ind./Lebanon H.S.) led the Brown and Gold with 17 points, including five three-pointers, while Gray and Gutowski each added 11 more. Gray also grabbed 13 rebounds, including five on the offensive end of the floor.

Courtney Davidson led the Naval Academy with 17 points, while Maile Shimoda added 12 and Bryanna Herring pulled down 13 boards.

Navy's bench outscored the Crusaders' 14-0 in the game.

Valpo will return to the court on Wednesday evening when the Crusaders conclude their three-game homestand. Tenth-ranked Notre Dame will be Valpo's opponent, with tip-off slated for 7:05 p.m. at the Athletics-Recreation Center.