In a game molded by runs, Detroit claimed an 85-65 win over the Valpo women's basketball team Saturday afternoon at Calihan Hall.
Jasmyn Walker (Muskegon, Mich./Mona Shores) scored the first two points of the game, and from there it was a series of elongated runs. Detroit embarked on a 7-0 surge only to be answered by a 6-0 Crusader blitz. Valpo rattled off a 7-0 run later in the opening period, but it was sandwiched between 8-0 and 6-0 Titan streaks. The Crusaders trailed 21-15 after ten minutes.
Detroit expanded its 6-0 quarter-ending run into a 16-0 rush to race out to its largest lead of the opening half.
Amber Lindfors (Elk Grove Village, Ill./Elk Grove) tallied six points, five rebounds, and two blocks in the first two stanzas. Her second rejection elevated her into third place in program history for blocks in a season (50). Walker and Dani Franklin (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/George Washington) added four first-half points each, but the Brown and Gold went into halftime down 38-24.
Haylee Thompson (Hailey, Idaho/Wood River [Utah State]) fueled a second-half charge, scoring eight of her 10 points after halftime, but the Titans found great success from the perimeter. The Crusaders outscored UDM 27-25 in an offensive-infused third quarter, but the Titans restored a comfortable cushion in the final period.
Walker posted 12 points and five rebounds. In addition to Thompson's 10, Franklin tossed in 10 points of her own as Valpo had two bench players finish in double figures.
Detroit converted 11 of its 25 three-point attempts. Five Titans scored in double figures, including Rosanna Reynolds who logged 10 points and 10 assists, and Brianne Cohen who registered 23 points and 11 boards. Lola Ristovski was 5-for-6 from three-point range as part of a career-high 17-point day.
Valpo, meanwhile, landed just five of its 22 tries from beyond the arc. After committing 11 turnovers in the first half, the Crusaders cleaned it up, turning it over just three times in the final twenty minutes.
Valpo (8-16, 4-9 Horizon) maintains a one-game lead over UIC for eighth place in the Horizon League. Oakland held off the Flames, 78-73, at the Athletics Center O'Rena on Saturday.
The Crusaders will close out their home slate next week when Milwaukee and Green Bay come to town. Saturday's matchup against the Phoenix will serve as Senior Day. Tip off for Thursday evening's game at the Athletics-Recreation Center is scheduled for 7:00 pm CT. Links to the audio, ESPN3, and live stats will be up at ValpoAthletics.com.
