Valparaiso 84, Oral Roberts 73

<br>(Valparaiso-AP) -- Ali Berdiel had 17 points, six rebounds and six assists to lead Valparaiso to an 84-to-73 win over Oral Roberts Thursday night. <br><br>Robert Nieves had 14 points and Oumar Sylla

Friday, February 13th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Valparaiso-AP) -- Ali Berdiel had 17 points, six rebounds and six assists to lead Valparaiso to an 84-to-73 win over Oral Roberts Thursday night.

Robert Nieves had 14 points and Oumar Sylla added 13 for the Crusaders, who shot 51 percent from the field.

Ken Tutt led Oral Roberts with 28 points and Caleb Green had 20 points and 15 rebounds.

The Crusaders led by as many as 18 points in the second half, but Green's two free throws cut the lead to five with 1:18 to play.

Valparaiso went 10-for-12 from the free throw line the rest of the way to close out the win.

Valparaiso had five players score in double figures.

The Golden Eagles couldn't match Valparaiso's balance. Tutt and Green accounted for 48 of the team's 73 points.