VALPARAISO, Ind. – A cold shooting performance in the second quarter that saw Indiana State score zero points proved too much to overcome on Saturday afternoon, as the Trees fell to Valparaiso 61-45.
 
The Sycamores fell to 3-20 overall and 1-10 in the Missouri Valley Conference while the Crusaders improved to 13-9 and 5-6 in the Valley.
 
Junior Jamyra McChristine led the Indiana State offensive effort, recording 12 points to go along with three rebounds, an assist and a steal. Del'Janae Williams added nine points and Marie Hunter contributed eight.
 
Both Hunter and Williams also led ISU in rebounds, as each pulled down six. As a team, the Trees dominated the glass, holding a 37-24 advantage over Valpo. Indiana State also held the advantage in the paint on the offensive end, outscoring VU 26-18 in the paint.
 
The Sycamores struggled with tight Valparaiso defense, as the Crusaders forced 31 turnovers and recorded 14 steals. On the flipside, the blue and white forced 19 turnovers and tallied eight steals.
 
It was a strong start to the first quarter for ISU, as the defense managed to force a shot clock violation on the first possession and then put up four straight points thanks to a Williams steal and layups from McChristine and Williams.
 
Valparaiso would respond, tying the game at four, but a quick 6-0 capped off by a Williams layup with 5:18 remaining would give the Sycamores a 10-4 advantage. ISU would maintain the lead for the remainder of the period, and hold an 18-14 lead at the end of one despite a runner as time expired from Valpo's Cara VanKempen.
 
The Crusaders turned the defensive intensity up in the second quarter, holding the Sycamores to zero points and scoring 17 of their own. ISU shot 0-12 from the floor in the period and committed eight turnovers, giving the Crusaders a 31-18 lead.
 
Despite the struggles from the floor in the second quarter, Sommer Pitzer knocked down a triple right out of the gate to pull the Trees to within 31-21 at 9:30. Valparaiso would manage to push their lead to 18, however, but a pair of free throws and a Hunter lay-in with four seconds remaining trimmed the Crusader lead to 14 with one quarter remaining.
 
ISU began the fourth period with a jolt of offense, scoring a quick five points, including four from McChristine to get the Trees to single-digits, 45-36 with 6:53 left in the game. Nine was as close as Indiana State would get however, as Valparaiso held on for the 16-point win.
 
Grace Hales led the Crusaders and all scorers with 14 points.
 
The Sycamore schedule doesn't get any easier, as Northern Iowa comes to Terre Haute on Thursday for the PINK game.
 
For the latest information on the Sycamore Women's Basketball team, make sure to check out GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.