#15 Valparaiso claimed a pair of victories on Friday, including a win over the nation’s top-ranked team, as the Crusaders opened competition at the Prairie View A&M Invitational in Arlington, Texas.

The tournament opened with the Crusaders unable to claim a win in their first three matches, falling to #3 Vanderbilt by a 913-729 final and #14 Norfolk State by a score of 811-603.  Valpo was down just 13 pins through two games of its four-game baker match against #7 Arkansas State, but eventually dropped a 743-652 decision.

The Crusaders spotted #1 Central Missouri 42 pins after game one of the fourth match of the day, but out-scored the Jennies by 51 pins in the second game.  UCM would chop five pins off the deficit in game three, but Valpo closed the door by out-dueling Central Missouri in game four, 227-183, to close out a 783-735 victory over the nation’s top-ranked squad.  It marked Valpo’s fifth victory in 14 matches against the #1 team in the nation in program history.  The Crusaders then ended the day by out-scoring host #RV Prairie View A&M in all four games in a 725-607 victory.

Valparaiso (38-42) ended the day in seventh place out of the 12 competing squads.  The Crusaders continue with the middle day of action at the Prairie View A&M Invitational on Saturday morning.