Sunday, March 20, 2011

#11 Valparaiso concluded action at the Music City Classic in Nashville, Tenn. on Sunday, finishing the three-day event in 18th place.

The Crusaders opened Sunday's bracket play, contested in the best-of-seven baker format, against #19 Minnesota State-Mankato.  A 175 was enough for Valpo to take the opening game, but Mankato won the next three games to take control of the match.  The Crusaders posted a 191 in game five to close to within 3-2, but Mankato came out on top 186-157 in game six to earn the 4-2 victory.

Valparaiso (52-48) would have no such troubles in its second match of the day, taking down Southern in four straight games, capped by a 219 effort in game four for the sweep.  The Crusaders concluded tournament play against Monmouth, taking an early 2-0 lead thanks to 154-147 and 194-144 wins.  Monmouth won the next two games to even the match before Valpo moved within one game of the victory in game five, winning 196-169.  But Monmouth took game six 230-188 and then came out on top in game seven, 193-185, to hand the Crusaders a narrow 4-3 defeat.