IUPUI (2-1, 0-0 Summit)
at Valparaiso (0-3, 0-0 Horizon)
Game #4 - Thursday, November 21 - 7:05 p.m.
Athletics-Recreation Center (5,000) - Valparaiso, lnd.
Next Up in Crusader Basketball: After three difficult road tests to open the season, Valparaiso looks for some home cooking Thursday evening when it hosts the IUPUI Jaguars at the ARC at 7:05 pm. The Crusaders won’t get comfortable, though, as they’ll be on the road for their next five games including trips to Miami and Toledo.
Last Time Out: Notre Dame proved why it is the sixth-ranked team in the nation last Saturday at Purcell Pavilion. The highly-athletic and hard-working Fighting Irish stymied the Crusaders all afternoon as they collected 18 steals, and shot 41-of-76 from the floor in a 96-46 win over the Brown and Gold. A three-point attempt by Elizabeth Hamlet would’ve drawn the Crusaders to within five points midway through the first half, but it rimmed out and the Irish went on to score 73 of the next 104 points in front of a crowd of 8,508. Saturday was Hamlet’s debut. While she recorded just two rebounds in 21 minutes in her return from a concussion, it’s apparent Hamlet adds quality depth to an injury-riddled roster.
Following the Crusaders: Audio - WVUR (95.1 FM, Valparaiso) - Joey Basil (play-by-play) and Renee’ Turpa (color)
Links for the audio, video, as well as live stats will be available at ValpoAthletics.com. In addition, ValpoGameday.com is a one-stop shop for live video, stats and social media interaction, all on the same page.
Head Coach Tracey Dorow: Tracey Dorow (11-23) is in her second season at the helm of the Valparaiso women’s basketball program in 2013-14. In her first season, Dorow led the Crusaders to eleven victories overall, including five in Horizon League play. Dorow arrived in Valparaiso after 14 seasons at Ferris State. She compiled a 232-163 record while with the Bulldogs. Furthermore, Ferris State posted the #1 grade point average in all of Division II for the 1999-2000 women’s basketball season as well as the #2 ranking in 2002-2003.
Series Notes:Valpo leads the all-time series 20-5 over IUPUI. The Crusaders hold a commanding 13-1 advantage over the Jaguars at the ARC. IUPUI won 75-69 last season in Indianapolis to break a string of 12 Valpo wins in a 13-game span. Thursday night will represent the 19th meeting between the two teams since 2000.
Storylines...
- Valpo is the last Horizon League to hold its home debut. With the exception of Green Bay, every other team has played at least two home games so far.
- Thursday’s home tilt versus the Jaguars is sandwiched between eight road games.
- Elizabeth Hamlet made her Crusader debut Saturday versus #6 Notre Dame. Valpo had been playing with a shortened bench since the season opener at SLU.
- Though she is required to sit out per NCAA transfer rules, Shaquira Scott will make her return to Valpo. Scott transferred to IUPUI after last season.
- Jazmin Taylor, a record-holding high jumper on the track team at Valpo, saw over a minute of action at #6 Notre Dame. Taylor was brought onto the roster after injuries claimed four Crusaders.
- Starting Thursday, IUPUI will play six of its next seven games on the road.
- The Jaguars won 20 games last season before losing in the First Round of the WNIT to Illinois State.
@ValpoWBB...
...looking back at last year
- @ValpoWBB.wrapped up 2012-13 with nine wins at the Athletics-Recreation Center.
- @ValpoWBB defeated Milwaukee and IPFW for their two road wins.
- @ValpoWBB boasted Second Team All-Horizon League player Tabitha Gerardot. Gerardot aveaged 15.5 points/game and 9.2 rebounds per game.
@IUPUIJaguars
- In their last game, @IUPUIJaguars beat Missouri State 76-65.
- @IUPUIJaguars carries a 48.5% field goal percentage.
- @IUPUIJaguars is also shooting 41% from three-point range.
- @IUPUIJaguars has three players averaging double-digit scoring: DeAirra Goss (13.0), Nicole Rogers (11.0), and Katie Comello (10.0).
- @IUPUIJaguars hosted #22 Purdue last Wednesday, dropping a 76-56 contest at The Jungle.
- Austin Parkinson is in his fourth season as head coach of the @IUPUIJaguars.
- @IUPUIJaguars have increased their win totals every season under Parkinson.
- Parkinson worked as a student assistant for the men’s basketball team at Purdue during the 2004-05 season.
- Parkinson’s father, Bruce, is the all-time assists leader at Purdue and a member of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame.
Abby Dean
- Currently averaging the 2nd-most minutes of any player in the Horizon League (37).
- Registered a career-high 13 points at Illinois on Nov. 12th, 2013.
- Scored first collegiate points at historic Cameron Indoor Stadium last November.
- Made collegiate debut on November 14th versus Purdue-Calumet.
- Tossed in 11 points versus Western Michigan in 19 minutes last December.
Lexi Miller
- Possesses a 1:1 assist-to-turnover ratio (7/7)
- Accumulated 15 points, four rebounds, four assists, and three steals (all career highs) at Saint Louis on Nov. 10th, 2013.
- Made collegiate debut against the Indiana Hoosiers Nov, 9th, 2012.
- Made first start in Hinkle Fieldhouse versus the Butler Bulldogs.
- Scored 13 points in Valpo’s 88-62 victory over UIC on Feb. 16th, 2013.
Charae Richardson
- Tied for 5th in the Horizon League in FT% (83.3)
- Has recorded six points via free-throws twice already this season.
- Scored 15 points in the season opener at Saint Louis on Nov. 10th, 2013.
- Played in all 31 games for the Crusaders last season, including 28 starts.
- Carried an 84.1 free-throw percentage.
- Scored 18 points at UIC on Jan. 19th, 2013.
- Finished second on the team last season in three-pointers (24) and assists (95).
Liz Horton
- Has scored 11 points off the bench in back-to-back games.
- Leads the team in three-pointers made.
- Appeared in 30 games for the Brown and Gold a season ago.
- Named Crusaders’ Most Improved Player in 2012-13.
- Scored 19 points, including 3-for-3 shooting from behind the arc, at Western Michigan on Dec. 19th.
Sharon Karungi
- Recorded her first double-double at Illinois on Nov. 12th, throwing in 15 points and grabbing 12 boards.
- Leads team in rebounds (21) and fouls (13).
- At 6’2’’, Karungi is tallest player on the Valpo roster.
- Averaged 7.8 points and 8.6 rebounds at Northern Oklahoma College.
Jessi Wiedemann
- Leads team in blocks (4) and steals (8).
- Snapped a season-starting 0-14 slump from behind the arc at #6 Notre Dame, nailing three treys in a nine-point game.
- Played all 40 minutes in the season opener at Saint Louis on Nov. 10th, 2013, and set career highs in blocks (4) and steals (3) while scoring six points.
- Appeared in all 31 games including four starts as a freshman for Coach Dorow.
- Made collegiate debut versus Indiana
- Scored 13 points off the bench versus Detroit on Mar. 9th, 2013.
- Knocked down five three-pointers in Valpo’s exhibition win over Saint Joseph’s this past Tuesday.
Roster Breakdown
- Valpo welcomes six new players (two freshmen, four transfers) to its team this season.
- Haylee Thompson and Annemarie Hamlet will sit out this season per NCAA transfer eligibilty rules.
- The Brown and Gold boast players from six different states and two countries.
- Liz Horton is the only true senior on this year’s squad.
