VALPARAISO, IN - Valparaiso's three-point shooting barrage and offensive prowess were too much for Toledo to overcome on Saturday afternoon as the Rockets (3-8) suffered an 81-49 setback before 3,278 fans at VU's Athletics Recreation Center. The Crusaders (4-6) shot 52.5 percent from the field and knocked down 12-of-23 shots from behind the arc, both season highs by a UT opponent this season.

In addition to struggling on the defensive end, Toledo was never able to find its stride offensively. The Rockets shot a season-low 37.0 percent from the field and connected on just one-of eight three-point field-goal attempts.

"We were completely outplayed today," Toledo Head Coach Gene Cross said. "The game was still within reach at halftime, but the first five minutes of the second half pretty much buried us. Valparaiso is a very good offensive team, and they also defended us well today."

Toledo's only lead of the contest came when freshman F Jordan Dressler grabbed an offensive board and laid it in. The Crusaders pressured the Rockets early and often and used a 13-2 spurt midway through the opening stanza to take a 24-10 advantage with just under eight minutes to play. With UT down 34-16, freshman G Malcolm Griffin and Dressler combined to score six straight points and briefly stem the Crusaders' momentum.

UT came out of the locker room at halftime staring at a 38-24 deficit and hoping to make a second-half comeback. Valpo eliminated any thoughts of a Rocket rally though by scoring 14 straight points and take a 52-24 advantage.

"Valparaiso came out aggressive in both halves," Cross said. "I thought we lacked energy, and they were a lot more active than we were. They played harder than we did, and that's unacceptable."

Dressler and Griffin shared team scoring honors with nine points apiece. Dressler also grabbed a team-high eight rebounds in a season-high 34 minutes. Griffin also saw his most action this season, playing 20 minutes as he becomes more acclimated since missing UT's first six games with a broken hand.

UT's leading scorer, freshman G Jake Barnett, was limited to six points with all of them coming with a perfect 6-for-6 afternoon from the charity stripe. Barnett went without a three-point field-goal for the first time this season and also didn't reach double figures in scoring for the first time in eight contests.

Valparaiso was led by the tandem of senior G Brandon McPherson and junior F Cory Johnson, who both scored a game-high 15 points apiece. Sophomore G Brandon Wood also was in double figures with 13 points.

Toledo returns to action on Saturday, Dec. 19 when it hosts Indiana State in Savage Arena. Tip-off time is 7:00 p.m.