(Sophomore Mason Jones took over down the stretch for Valpo)

 

Valparaiso and Lake Central played a defensive chess match before the Vikings prevailed, 42-37.

 

The offensive struggles were evident early with Valpo taking three and a half minutes to score its first basket. Despite the drought to begin the game, Lake Central did not take advantage of it. Although the Indians scored on three of their first four possessions, they only recorded five first-quarter points. After the early dry spell, two bench players - Thomas Barone and Clayton MacLagan - gave the Vikings a spark. MacLagan tallied six of Valpo's 10 points in the opening period.

 

Rowland Sorrick began the second quarter with a bucket to extend Valpo's run to 12-0. The senior guard scored the first eight points for Valpo to stretch the lead to 18-10. With Valpo's zone clamping down Lake Central, Kyle Ross did not score until midway through the second period. Ross entered the game averaging just under 18 points per contest. His second bucket cut Valpo's lead to 22-14 as the teams went to the locker rooms.

 

After a low-possession and minimal scoring third quarter, the offenses found a rhythm in the fourth period. Breece Walls scored off the dribble for Valpo but received a technical foul after the play. Following the tech, Lake Central rattled off seven straight points with Ross doing most of the damage. The senior forward scored five of the points to bring LC within two of the Vikings. 

 

With game pressuring mounting, Mason Jones slashed to the basket for a score plus the foul. He took over the game by scoring eight-straight Valpo points. His play helped the Vikings stretch their lead to six points, but LC stuck around thanks to Ross and a timely three-pointer from Jaiden Clayton. 

 

The game remained a one-possession spread down the stretch until Mason Jones and Colton Jones connected on four consecutive free throws. Lake Central blanked on its three-point shots on the final possessions, and Valpo walked away with the 42-37 victory.

 

Mason Jones recorded 11 points, seven rebounds, and three steals for Valpo. MacLagan scored ten, and Sorrick added eight. Walls tallied five assists, four rebounds, three steals, and two points.

 

For LC, Ross finished with 15 points and six rebounds, while Clayton scored 12.

 

Valpo moved to 9-2 on the season ahead of the duel against Gary West Side on Saturday. Lake Central dropped to 9-5.