Apparently Valparaiso coach Homer Drew couldn't take it any more.

Drew, the Crusaders' normally mild-mannered mentor, was ejected from Tuesday's 66-42 loss to Cleveland State in the Horizon League opener at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland.

Frustrated by his team's poor play and questionable officiating, Drew was assessed two technicals -- an automatic ejection -- with 6:14 remaining.

Drew was ejected two years ago in a game at Evansville, the only other time in his 32 years of coaching. But he said he shouldn't have been thrown out then because one technical was assessed as a bench foul.

"This is the first time I got two myself in my whole career," Drew said.

It's just as well that he wasn't on the bench to see the conclusion of a very disappointing performance by his young team. Valpo shot just 5-for-25 in the first half, committed nine turnovers and trailed 31-14 at the break.

The Crusaders (2-4, 0-1) fell behind 20-4 early on and were never in it, dropping their fourth consecutive game.

"Their defense was really stifling," Drew said. "We had a tough time passing the ball and we made turnovers. The first seven minutes our defense was really good, but we just could not make any baskets and then we started turning the ball over."

Valpo shot just 31 percent overall, and finished with 22 turnovers and only eight assists. The 42 points is the Crusaders' lowest point total since a 61-40 loss at Ball State on Dec. 16, 2006.

Valpo did not have an answer for CSU's all-conference player J'Nathan Bullock, who scored 29 points and pulled down six rebounds. Norris Cole (12 points) and D'Aundray Brown (10 points, six assists) also played solid games for the Vikings (5-2, 1-0).

"Bullock was sensational," Drew said. "They weren't easy shots. They were quick releases on the baseline, driving down the lane ... he just dominated inside play. He's like a Charles Barkley, big and strong."

Sophomore Howard Little led the Crusaders with 14 points. He was 6 for shooting, the only VU player to make more than half of the shots he took. The Crusaders' bench contributed just three points, all by freshman Cameron Witt.

Reserves Benjamin Fumey (0-for-6) and De'Andre Haskins (0-for-5) failed to score while playing 27 minutes apiece.

"We had some good looks," Drew said. "But their defense forced us into poor shot selection."

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