Hamilton’s 41 points lift Oakland past rival Valparaiso
VALPARAISO, Ind. — Throughout the years, Oakland and Valparaiso have put together a memorable series on the hard court, either as members of the same conference or in parallel leagues.
The two put together another classic Saturday inside Valpo’s Athletics-Recreation Center.
Down 17 points early in the second half, Oakland’s Reggie Hamilton scored a career-high 41 points and sank the game-winning bucket as time expired in helping the golden Grizzlies to a come-from-behind, 82-80, win over Valparaiso in a men’s basketball non-league contest.
Hamilton becomes the first Oakland player to score 40 points since Calvin Wooten tallied 40 against Valpo on Jan. 26, 2006. He scored 10 straight points when it looked like Valparaiso (7-4) was going to run away with the game and came up with three steals in the final minutes to give the Grizzlies the win.
Drew Valentine scored 19 points and had nine rebounds, while Laval Lucas-Perry finished with 12 for the Golden Grizzlies. Valpo’s Kevin Van Wijk scored 22 points, Ryan Broekhoff recorded a double-double with 18 points and 12 boards, and Will Bogan finished with 11 points.
The Golden Grizzlies and Crusaders battled through six lead changes in the first half and Valpo took a slight 37-35 lead at halftime. The Crusaders came out on fire in the second half and took their largest lead of the game at 17 points, 60-43, with 14 minutes left in the game.
Hamilton then took over for Oakland with 10 straight points and a steal at halfcourt that led to a Valentine dunk as the Golden Grizzlies cut the lead to six, 61-55 (11:52). Travis Bader would give the Grizzlies their first lead of the 2nd half with a deep 3-pointer with 4:23 on the game clock, 73-72.
Valpo answered quickly on the other end and Kyle Sikora split a pair of free throws to tie the game at 74. Hamilton answered a Valpo 3-pointer for the third tie of the half and after a Crusaders basket, Valentine was fouled and split the free throws as the Golden Grizzlies trailed by one.
Hamilton again responded for OU with a steal and finish as the Golden Grizzlies led 80-79. After a free throw by the Crusaders tied the game, Oakland had two chances at taking the lead, but could not convert as Valpo came up with a big turnover on the last opportunity and held for the final shot of the game.
Lucas-Perry then kept solid defensive position and forced Matt Kenny to travel with 4.6 seconds left in the game. After a timeout, Hamilton took the ball up the court and shot from just inside the 3-point line from the top of the key, banking it in as the horn sounded.
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