MACOMB, Ill. (AP) Eulis Baez had 26 points and seven rebounds as Western Illinois beat Valparaiso 83-79 on Saturday.
Baez hit 8-of-11 from the field for the Leathernecks (6-11, 2-4 Mid-Con) and also led the team in assists with four. David Jackson had 16 points, while teammate Fred Oguns had 14.
Dan Oppland had 29 points for the Crusaders (7-11, 3-3) but was unable to help them overcome a 42-38 halftime deficit.
The two teams each scored 41 points in the second half, but Valparaiso got into foul trouble.
Despite outshooting the Leathernecks 58 percent to 53 percent, the Crusaders gave up 26 points at the free-throw line. Three of their players, including Oppland, fouled out.
