“Seth Colclasure scored 15 points to lead four players in double figures as Valparaiso defeated Penn State 69-56 Tuesday night in the first round of the Arizona State Hoops Classic.
“Jimmie Myles and Dan Oppland each added 13 points and Ron Howard had 12 as the Crusaders (3-6) advanced to Wednesday night’s championship game against either Long Island or host Arizona State.
“Geary Claxton scored 17 points to lead Penn State (5-6). Aaron Johnson scored 12 points and grabbed 12 rebounds and Travis Parker added 12 points and 11 rebounds for the Nittany Lions, who have lost four in a row.
“Valparaiso used a 15-0 run during an eight-minute stretch of the first half to get a 34-15 lead. The Nittany Lions missed nine consecutive shots and at one point in the second half was 6 of 31 from the field. After trailing by as much as 24, Penn State rallied to get within 55-46 with 5:05 left but never got closer. …”