CHICAGO (AP) — Ryan Broekhoff had 21 points and 10 rebounds as Valparaiso pulled away late for a 75-70 victory against Illinois-Chicago on Wednesday night.
LaVonte Dority added 18 points and Kevin Van Wijk 16 for the Crusaders (12-5, 2-1 Horizon League).
Gary Talton had 25 points and Josh Crittle 16 for the Flames (10-6, 1-2).
In a constantly-close game — there were 13 ties, with the largest lead by either team nine points — Valpo gained a late foothold with consecutive baskets by Broekhoff, Dority and Van Wijk for a 67-61 cushion with 54 seconds remaining. Each time Illinois-Chicago cut the margin to four points, the Crusaders answered.
Valpo went 6 for 6 from the free-throw line in the final 12 seconds.
Daniel Barnes had eight steals for the Flames, tying a school record.