The Valparaiso University women’s basketball team fell to Big Ten foe Indiana 87-58 at historic Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind. on Sunday afternoon. The Crusaders were once again led in scoring by Dani Franklin (Cedar Rapids, Iowa / George Washington), who posted 18 points. The fourth quarter was a bright spot, as the Crusaders outscored the Hoosiers 26-15.

How It Happened

• The game was tied 4-4 early, but Indiana went on a 7-0 run to grab an 11-4 edge. The spurt was highlighted by an Alexis Gassion 3-pointer, her first field goal of what turned out to be a productive performance.
• The Hoosiers sustained their season-long field goal percentage success in the opening quarter, shooting 53.3 percent to Valpo’s 28.6. Gassion finished the opening stanza with nine points, and Indiana committed just one turnover.
• Amber Lindfors (Elk Grove Village, Ill. / Elk Grove) scored Valpo’s first four points of the second quarter, followed by a Franklin layup to make it 26-15 with 7:17 remaining in the half. The Crusaders would not convert another field goal until a layup by Georgi Donchetz (Savage, Minn/ Burnsville) that came with 1:25 to go in the half.
• Haylee Thompson (Hailey, Idaho / Wood River [Utah State]) drained a 3-pointer with 44 seconds to go in the second quarter, the first made 3 of her three-year Valpo career.
• The Crusaders trailed 42-22 at the break, in part due to Gassion’s 15 points and 6-of-10 shooting performance. Indiana attempted just four free throws in the first half.
• The Hoosiers pulled away in the third quarter, outscoring Valpo 30-10. After shooting 62.5 percent in the second quarter, Valpo cooled to 29.4 percent in the third.
• After Indiana recorded the first basket of the fourth quarter, the Crusaders went on a 12-0 run to tighten the score to 74-47.
• Franklin was held scoreless in the third, but she broke through in the fourth with 10 in that quarter alone.
• After forcing just four turnovers in the first three quarters combined, the Crusaders benefited from nine Indiana turnovers in the fourth quarter.
• Valpo trailed in points off turnovers 25-0, then went on to score the final 20 points off turnovers of the game.
• The Hoosiers did damage in transition, outscoring Valpo in fast break points 14-2. The Crusaders were outrebounded 39-29, including an eight-rebound deficit in the third quarter.

Inside the Game

• Franklin was Valpo’s leading scorer for the ninth time in 10 games. It was also the ninth time this season she’s reached double figures.
• Donchetz hit double figures for the second consecutive Sunday, matching a career high with 10 points on 4-of-5 shooting.
• Caitlin Morrison (Glenview, Ill. / Glenbrook South) chipped in eight points and five rebounds, while Thompson added seven points.
• Franklin continued her success at the free-throw line by going 6-of-6 in the game to finish the weekend 12-of-12 at the stripe. Franklin has now made 36 consecutive free throws in true road games dating back to March 5, 2015 at Oakland.
• Hannah Schaub (Brooklyn Park, Minn. / Park Center) continued to distribute well by dishing out seven assists, while also grabbing three steals.
• Valpo finished the game at 27.3 percent from behind the arc and 39.2 percent overall, marking just the second time this season they had a lower field-goal percentage than their opponent. The Hoosiers shot 53.1 percent on their way to upping their record to 7-3.
• Valpo committed 19 turnovers to Indiana’s 13. The Crusaders haven’t won the turnover against a Division-I team yet this season.
• Imani Scott-Thompson (Akron, Ohio / Firestone [Dakota College at Bottineau]) made her second appearance of the season and first since Nov. 21. She had been sidelined with an injury.

Next Up

The Crusaders (5-5) now have some time off for final exams this week. They return to the court on Monday, Dec. 19 against Bradley (2-6) at 7 p.m. at the Athletics-Recreation Center. The game can be seen on ESPN3, heard on 95.1 FM Valparaiso and followed through live stats. David Horak will have play-by-play, with Renee’ Turpa handling color commentary. Links to all coverage will be available on ValpoAthletics.com.