Joseph, Sorolla lead Valpo past Southern Illinois 83-72

Jan 6, 2018, 06:27 pm

VALPARAISO, Ind. -- Max Joseph and Jaume Sorolla scored 17 points apiece, both career highs, to lead Valparaiso to an 83-72 win over Southern Illinois on Saturday.

Bakari Evelyn hit 4 of 5 3-pointers and added 14 points for the Crusaders (10-7, 1/3 Missouri Valley Conference). Markus Golder added 13 and Derrik Smits 11.

Armon Fletcher had a career-high 32 points and 14 rebounds for the Huskies (10-7, 2-2) and Kavion Pippen scored 14 points.

Golder scored the final five points of a 13-0 run that put Valparaiso up 33-27 late in the first half and the Crusaders turned that into a closing 23-2 run. SIU missed its last 11 shots of the half and trailed 43-29.

Despite Fletcher scoring 19 points in the second half, the Huskies couldn't slow down the Crusaders, who shot 54 percent in the second half and kept a double figure lead.