In the Duneland Conference opener for both teams, Brandon Newman scored 32 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as Valpo was never threatened on their way to a road win at Portage. The win snapped a three-game losing streak for Valpo.

 

Newman started out by equaling Portage’s point total in the first quarter with 10 as the Vikings jumped out to a double-figure advantage. Junior forward Nate Aerts scored six of his 10 in the opening frame. Portage was down just 11 at halftime, but Newman and senior forward Marcus Gholston combined for all of Valpo’s points in the third quarter as the Viking lead reached 20.

 

 

Greg Milledge had 14 points to lead the Indians, who were without forward Ian Mulle due to injury. Maurion Martin was held to just 4 points on 2 of 11 from the field.

 

 

Valparaiso is now 7-3 and faces Penn on Saturday evening. Portage dropped to 5-6 and next plays against Hammond on January 9th.

 

 

 

Valpo      20  11  19  19 -  69

Portage  10  10  10  11  -  41

 

Valpo: Brandon Newman 32 points (11/16 FGs, 3/5 3Ps, 7/8 FTs), 10 rebs, 2 stls; Nate Aerts 10 points (4/9 FGs, 2/2 FTs); Marcus Gholston 8 points (4/7 FGs), 7 rebs; Charlie Healy 5 points (1/1 3Ps, 2/2 FTs); Max Otterbacher 5 points; Cooper Jones 4 points; CJ Opperman 2 points; Brandon Mack 2 points; Jack Barrasas 1 point

 

Portage: Greg Milledge 14 points (7/12 FGs); Jacobie Sims 10 points (4/9 FGs, 2/2 FTs), 5 rebs; James Havrilla 6 points (2/6 FGs, 2/4 FTs), 4 rebs, 3 asts; Noah Penrose 5 points; Maurion Martin 4 points (2/11 FGs); Jalen Smith 2 points