Dec. 9, 2000

Box Score

KINGSTON, R.I. (AP) - Raitis Grafs scored 18 points and Valparaiso hit 7-of-10 second-half 3-point attempts Saturday in a 69-62 come-from-behind victory over Rhode Island.

Valparaiso got its first lead, 53-51, since early in the first half on Lubos Barton's 3-pointer with 6:54 remaining.

Grafs led four Valparaiso players in double figures. Barton had 15, James Jenkins had 12 and Milo Stovall scored 10.

The Crusaders (7-2) went 8-for-8 from the line in the final 2:16.

The Rams (1-7), built their largest lead of the game at 34-21 with 3:18 left in the first half on a dunk by Tavorris Bell. Rhode Island led 38-30 at the half and extended its lead to 47-37 on Bell's 3-pointer with 15:21 to play.

Valparaiso countered with a 16-4 run, ignited by two 3-pointers by Stovall, and moved ahead 51-50.

Rhode Island, which had just seven scholarship players in uniform, was dealt a blow when Bell went down with an ankle injury with 3:20 to play and the Crusaders ahead 58-56. Bell, Marbury and Daniels each had 16 points to lead the Rams.