Penguins hit eight 3-pointers in second half to hold off VU women

Playing as short-handed as they've been all season, the Valparaiso University women's basketball team nearly pulled off a comeback Thursday night.

Jessica Carr's knee injury forced four starters to play 39 or more minutes, but still the Crusaders were in position to rally from a double-digit halftime deficit when Brandi Brown knocked down a 3-pointer to help lead Youngstown State to a 64-58 victory.

Ashley Varner was able to cut the deficit to two points with 11 seconds left, but the Penguins converted four consecutive free throws to end the game.

"I'm proud of our kids," Valparaiso coach Keith Freeman said. "We closed the gap, and we played very hard. I thought there were three plays where we didn't get our hand above the ball, and that cost us nine points."

Brown, the preseason Horizon League Player of the Year, gave the Penguins a 58-55 lead with less than two minutes remaining, and Kenya Middlebrooks extended the lead to five with two free throws.

Brown scored 14 of her game-high 20 points in the second half and added 10 rebounds, three assists and a block.

"They really started getting her the ball inside in the second half," Freeman said. "They moved it inside, and that drew our attention, and then they started to hit shots from the outside."

Carr suffered a knee injury during the morning shootaround and was a last-second scratch by the Valparaiso training staff.

"Our trainer will make the call on Saturday as to whether or not Jess can play," Freeman said. "The hope was with resting it today, she'll be able to stretch it out and play (against Cleveland State) on Saturday.

Tabitha Gerardot scored all of her team-high 15 points in the second half, and Ashley Timmerman added 14 points for the Crusaders (5-16, 1-9).

"The kids gave great effort, and it's frustrating, because you want them to experience success," Freeman said. "Tab played very hard out there tonight against some very good players. Timmerman, it's hard with her, because she can't practice all the time because of her shins. I thought she gave great effort tonight."

Monica Touvelle hit three second-half 3-pointers for the Penguins and had 11 points. Youngstown St. made just one of 12 3-pointers in the first half before connecting on eight triples after halftime.