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After splitting a pair of exhibition games, tonight will be the first official action for Skyler Gick, Laura Richards, Gina Lange and Raegan Moore, as well as the Valparaiso debut for Kelly Watts (E.C. Central) and the return of Kelly Peller (Chesterton).

The Warriors (0-2) shouldn't provide much of a challenge tonight. The NAIA team lost 80-63 to Northwestern Ohio on Nov. 7 and then fell 82-72 to Goshen on Nov. 11. Indiana Tech has outscored opponents 66-65 in the first half, but have fell behind 97-69 in the second.

Tonight will continue to be more about the Crusaders finding some consistency in their lineup with their youthful players. Senior Lauren Kenney will return to the lineup after serving a two-game suspension for a violation of team rules and she will start along juniors Ashley Varner and Kelly Watts in the frontcourt. Sophomore Betsy Adams and freshman Laura Richards will start in the backcourt.

Looking at the career numbers, Kenney started 15 games in her only season with the Crusaders while Varner has started 14 games in her first two seasons. Adams will be making her first career start in two years while Watts and Richards are starting in their debuts. Whitney Farris comes into the season as the active leader in career starts with 20.

For Indiana Tech, Merrillville product Latoya Noble makes her return to Northwest Indiana. Noble was All-DAC in 2007 and is Merrillville's all-time leader in steals, assists and free throw percentage. Also on the roster is Julie Stetzel, who teamed with Valparaiso senior Sylwia Zabielewicz at Midland College in Texas two years ago.

Tip is coming in a little more than 20 minutes. I'll return as we get closer with my prediction and key to the game. 

7:11 p.m. -- Not exactly the start coach Keith Freeman was looking for as the Crusaders missed their first five shots and are 1-8 from the field. Still, Valparaiso leads 8-5 with 15:50 remaining in the first half on the strength of five perfect free throws from Ashley Varner. The junior was a 51 percent shooter from the charity stripe last season, but hasn't flinched so far tonight. The Crusaders are 1-6 from beyond the arc. So much for the 78.6 percent from the other night.

7:21 p.m. -- The Crusaders have extended their lead to 16-11 with 11:17 remaining, but if they were playing a Division I team, they'd be losing by double digits at this point. Valparaiso is 5-15 from the field and 1-7 from beyond the arc. They have struggled to get into their offense and four of their baskets have come in the paint against the much-smaller Warriors. Freeman has played ten players already and Gick and Richards have both struggled in the early going.

7:29 p.m. -- Ok, so maybe the Crusaders can hit 3-pointers. The percentage may be lacking at 36.4, but Adams has knocked down three long distance shots and Varner has added one to give VU a 26-13 lead with 7:30 left in the first half. Adams is leading the way with nine points and Varner has eight. Both players enter the game with a career-high of 14.

7:38 p.m. -- Kelly Watts took over the game with five straight points during a 12-0 run that has VU up 33-19 with 3:35 remaining. The E.C. Central product stole the ball, went the length of the floor and slid in a layup after knocking down a free throw. On the next defensive possession, Watts caught a loose ball like a wide receiver and ran the court to finish. Very athletic moves from the Eastern Michigan transfer.

7:49 p.m. -- After a somewhat sloppy first half, the Crusaders lead 40-28. Adams is leading the way with 11 points while Varner has eight and Watts has six. In a odd looking stat, the Crusaders are shooting 12-34 from the field for 35.3 percent. From beyond the arc, Valparaiso is shooting 4-17 for 23.5 percent. Not good. Adams also has three steals.

8:04 p.m. -- As we get ready to start the second half, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention my favorite addition to the ARC this season. Gore-Made Cookies. They are chocolate chip cookies made by Cheryl Gore, the wife of VU men's assistant coach Luke Gore. They are available at the concession stand and they are to die for. Check out more info at goremadefoods.com

8:12 p.m. -- The sloppy play has continued a bit into the second half as the Crusaders lead 45-33 with 15:54 remaining. Adams has matched her career-high with 14 points after knocking down her fourth 3-pointer of the night. The sophomore also has four steals. Noble is leading the Warriors with seven points.

8:19 p.m. -- Gick just put a big smile on Keith Freeman's face with an superb play. The freshman picked up a loose ball near and drove the lane and as she went in the air, she contorted her body a bit to try and pick up the foul as she made an easy layup. She didn't get the whistle, but the play was a sign of sheer athleticism that Freeman approved of. Valparaiso is up 53-37 with 13:26 remaining.

8:24 p.m. -- The Crusaders are running away with this one now as the lead has been extended to 58-39 with 11:41 remaining. Kenney has gotten into the act with a couple of easy baskets off good passing and now has 10 points to go along with four rebounds. Varner is also in double figures with 10 points and six rebounds. Adams is now up to 17 and has five 3-pointers.

8:34 p.m. -- It's turned into the Betsy Adams Show tonight as the sophomore has 20 points off six 3-pointers as well as six steals. She is three 3-pointers away from tying the school mark for triples in a game and two steals away from equaling the record for most swipes. Of course Freeman has now taken her out of the game.

8:44 p.m. -- I'm not one to brag, but last night I correctly predicted that Brandon Wood would score 25 points in his debut for the Valparaiso men's team. Tonight I predicted the women would win 88-56. With 3:35 remaining, Valparaiso is up 79-53. We're getting close!

8:53 p.m. -- Valparaiso 86, Indiana Tech 57. Two points short on one and one point over on the other. I'll take it. My season record improves to 1-1 and the Crusaders are 1-0! Back with more after the press conference.