Valparaiso University torched the University of Maine for 53 first-half points on Sunday morning, paving the way to a 93-70 men’s basketball victory in the second round of the Central Michigan Tournament at Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.
Alex Peters powered the Crusaders, pouring in a game-high 31 points and grabbing six rebounds. Valparaiso (4-1) shot 53 percent overall and connected on 12 of 21 shots from beyond the 3-point arc (57 percent) in the contest.
It was the fourth consecutive loss to open the season for coach Bob Walsh’s Black Bears, who committed 23 turnovers that led to 32 points by the Crusaders.
Tevonn Walker tossed in 16 points for Valparaiso, which competes in the Horizon League, while Darien Walker and David Skara contributed 11 and 10 points, respectively.
The Crusaders outrebounded the Black Bears only 36-33.
Junior guard Shaun Lawton led the way for UMaine with 16 points, two assists and two steals, but committed seven turnovers. Freshman guard Kevin Little connected for 15 points, including three 3-pointers, and provided four rebounds, three steals and an assist. He had four turnovers.
Freshman guard Aaron Calixte and sophomore forward Marko Pirovic netted 10 points each and junior post player Till Gloger added nine points.
The Black Bears shot a healthy 43 percent and were outscored by only a 17-16 count from the foul line.
UMaine was again without the services of sophomore forward Garet Beal of Beals Island, who is recovering from a concussion and did not make the trip.
It took fewer than five minutes for Valparaiso to end the suspense in Sunday’s brunch hour special. The Crusaders sped to a 17-2 advantage behind the play of Peters, who connected for eight points during the initial surge.
UMaine committed four turnovers that led to nine Valpo points amidst the spurt.
Peters kicked things off with a 3-pointer off a turnover, before Pirovic answered with a jumper for the Bears. However, the Crusaders would rattle off the next 14 points.
Walker drove in for a layup, then Peters cashed in for a conventional three-point play off a steal. Peters came up with another steal and layup, Walker drained a 3-pointer, Vashil Fernandez dunked off an offensive rebound and Carter closed out the run with a steal and layup that made it 17-2 with 15:38 to play.
Valpo extended its advantage to as many as 33 points in the contest.
UMaine, which plays 11 of its first 13 games on the road, returns to action with a Nov. 30 game at Northern Illinois before making its home debut Dec. 2 against Wagner.