Crusaders head into HL opener on high

Before Valparaiso departed for James Madison, Bryce Drew spoke about the uncertainty surrounding a first game after Christmas, with performances in such games typically ranging from one extreme to the other.

The Crusaders left no doubt about the end of the spectrum on which they would land.

They blew out James Madison 79-52 on Monday night, closing out nonconference play with lockdown defense and efficient offense. They will take a 13-2 record into Friday’s Horizon League opener at Oakland, with the 1996-97 team the only one in their Division I history to go 14-2.

“We had great energy and great endurance and great shooting on the road,” said Drew, whose team shot 43.9 percent (29-for-66), including another double- digit performance from three-point range (10for-22), and had just six turnovers. “Our ballhandling was spectacular.”

Valparaiso never trailed against James Madison (7-6), racing to a 13-2 lead and building as much as a 33-point bulge. The Crusaders held the Dukes to 23.6 percent shooting (13-for-55), including 17.9 (5-for-28) in the first to take a 40-16 halftime lead.

“From the first possession, we really came out with active hands and got deflections, and Vashil (Fernandez) was great altering and blocking shots,” Drew said.

Alec Peters posted a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds in just 20 minutes, after losing his grandfather earlier on Monday.

“It’s been pretty emotional,” Drew said. “His family is very close. He was with the team when he found out. We have such good young men on our team, and they really encouraged Alec, and Alec is so mentally tough. I’m really proud of how they all came together, and competed.”

Keith Carter again was key on both ends of the court, with 13 points, five rebounds and four assists. Tevonn Walker added 12 points, as all 11 available Crusaders players received at least seven minutes.

Fernandez had six points, seven rebounds and four more blocked shots. Darien Walker had a career-high seven assists (his previous best had been three), to go along with four points and five rebounds.

E. Victor Nickerson had nine points and four rebounds, and David Chadwick and Nick Davidson each had eight points, with the sophomore from Andean’s total a career-high. Chadwick, who also had three rebounds and hit back-to-back three-pointers late in the first half, left the game in the middle stages of the second with a knee problem; the fifth-year senior has endured multiple knee injuries, particularly to that left one.

“We’re praying,” said Drew, adding Chadwick had “his best game in a Valpo uniform” on Monday. “He can’t really bend his knee. We’ll know more in the next 48 hours.”