VALPARAISO, Ind. -- Keith Carter scored 19 points and LaVonte Dority added 14 with six assists to power Valparaiso past Illinois-Chicago 87-72 in a Horizon Conference opener for both teams Thursday night.

The Crusaders (9-7, 1-0 Horizon) erased an eight-point halftime deficit and were within one midway through the second half. Dority drilled two free throws- the second putting Valparaiso on top- and Carter hit a layup and a 3-pointer to ignite a 19-6 run, pushing the lead to 77-65 with 4:24 remaining.

UIC (5-10, 0-1) could only pull within ten the rest of the way, committing four turnovers in the final minutes.

Valparaiso shot an efficient 57.4 percent from the field and hit ten 3-pointers. Lexus Williams scored 11 points and Jordan Coleman had 13 with six rebounds for the Crusaders.

The Flames shot 50.9 percent but committed 26 fouls. Marc Brown paced UIC with 19 points and Kelsey Barlow added 13.