Frank Gaines scored 24 points and IPFW closed the game on a 10-2 run Wednesday night en route to an 85-76 victory over Valparaiso.
After Valparaiso pulled within 75-74 on a Jay Harris basket with 2:09 remaining, Gaines nailed a 3-pointer at the 1:50 mark and converted a three-point play with 1:17 left to put IPFW up 81-76. The Mastadons then hit 4 of 5 free throws to close it out.
Trey McCorkle added 16 points for IPFW (4-3), John Peckinpaugh had 13, and Jonny Marlin finished with 10 points and seven assists.
Ryan Broekhoff led Valparaiso (6-3) with 20 points. Will Bogan and Kevin Van Wijk added 15 each, and Matt Kenney had 13.
The Mastadons shot 61 percent from the field, including 7 of 12 3-point attempts, and were 16 of 20 from the free-throw line. The Crusaders also shot well from the field, hitting 51 percent, but were just 10 for 19 at the line.
