Nov 16, 2001
Purdue-Valparaiso Statistics Packet in PDF Format
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By DAN GELSTON
Associated Press Writer
VALPARAISO, Ind. (AP) - Maynard Lewis scored 19 points, Darmetreis Kilgore added 16 and Purdue made 10 3-pointers in a 73-69 win over Valparaiso on Friday night in the season opener for both teams.
The Crusaders, who hadn't led since the opening minutes, but never trailed by more than eight, made it 71-69 after Antonio Falu converted a 3-point play with 41 seconds left.
Purdue's Brett Buscher stepped out of bounds on the next possession, giving the Crusaders a chance to tie - or win - on their final attempt.
After getting the ball past midcourt, Valparaiso called a timeout. But guard Ali Berdiel slipped and fell and John Allison grabbed the ball.
Allison made two free throws with 9.4 seconds left to make it 73-69.
Allison then blocked Falu's shot to end the game. Allison had four blocked shots.
Falu scored 21 and Raitis Grafs had 17 points and nine rebounds for the Crusaders.
Purdue opened up a 41-33 lead early in the second half after an Austin Parkinson 3-pointer. But Valparaiso made it 53-52 when Falu converted a Purdue turnover into a layup with 9:23 left. Lewis gave the Boilermakers the lead for good on the next possession when he made a baseline 3-pointer.
Willie Deane's 3 with 5:45 to go made it 63-57.
The Crusaders whittled the deficit back to 68-65 when a Grafs dunk made it 68-65 with just under three minutes left.
Falu could have pulled the Crusaders within two but he missed two free throws with 2:15 left.
The Boilermakers scored the final five points on free throws.