gophers/ncaa

Final Score: Valparaiso 55, Milwaukee 52

Milwaukee, WI (Sports Network) - Ryan Broekhoff scored 11 points and pulled down a game-high eight rebounds, as the Valparaiso Crusaders secured a 55-52 win over Milwaukee in a pivotal Horizon League showdown at U.S. Cellular Arena.

The two teams entered the weekend tied with Cleveland State atop the conference standings. Kevin Van Wijk helped the Crusaders (15-8, 8-3 HL) stay atop their perch with 10 points.

Tony Meier led all scorers with 13 points to go along with seven boards for the Panthers (14-9, 7-4), while James Haarsma added 10 points in the loss.

The Panthers led by as many as 12 with just under eight minutes remaining in the first half. They took a 35-28 lead into the break behind a 50-percent shooting effort from the floor and 5-of-12 from three-point range. Valpo connected on just 34.5 percent of its field-goal attempts in the opening frame.

However, Milwaukee went ice-cold in the second stanza, making only six field goals in 26 tries (.231), including 1-of-10 shooting from the perimeter. The Panthers had the last possession with a chance to force overtime, but they rimmed out three three-pointers in the final 13 seconds as Valpo prevailed.

The Crusaders managed to win despite shooting a mere 35.1 percent for the game. Their largest lead of the contest was four points and came with just 1:18 to play.

01/28 18:17:27 ET