Feb. 22, 2014

Box Score | Notes

VALPARAISO, Ind. - Bethany Watterworth scored a game-high 26 points but it was not enough as the Oakland women's basketball team (11-15, 6-7 HL) fell to Valparaiso (4-21, 2-10 HL), 84-70, Saturday night at the Athletics-Recreation Center.

"Give Valparaiso credit they outplayed us, out coached us, out worked us and out hustled us," said head coach Jeff Tungate. "They shot the ball extremely well and took advantage of some problems we have in our defense. I give them all the credit in the world. To have the record they have and come out and play with that much energy and out perform us. Their team deserves a lot of credit."

Elena Popkey added 11 points while Kim Bee led the team with eight rebounds.

Oakland trailed 40-33 at the half as Valpo went on a 15-5 run over a 4:39 stretch to take a 31-22 advantage late in the half. The Crusaders shot 51.5 percent from the field (17-33) including 4-of-6 from behind the arc.

The Golden Grizzlies came out strong in the second half starting on a 11-4 run led by Watterworth with seven points to tie the game at 44-44. However, Valparaiso would retake the lead going on a 13-4 run to push the score to 60-50. OU was outscored 50-26 in the paint. Oakland finished 40.0 percent from the field while Valpo shot 55.0 percent and 50.0 from 3-point range.

The Crusaders were led by Sharon Karungi with 22 points on 11-of-15 shooting, while Charae Richardson and Jessi Weidemann each added 17.

Oakland will return to Rochester for its final regular season home contest on Thursday as it hosts Cleveland State starting at 5 p.m. before the men's game. It is senior night inside the Athletics Center O'rena as Kim Bee, Victoria Lipscomb and Bethany Watterworth will be honored.

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