Box Score

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Portland freshman guard D'Marques Tyson scored a game-high 25 points, but the Pilots suffered their first loss of the season with a 70-55 defeat to the Valparaiso Crusaders in the title game of the Challenge in Music City Sunday afternoon at Municipal Auditorium. Portland drops to 5-1 overall, while Valparaiso improved to 7-1 with the victory. Pilot senior forward Volodymyr Gerun was named to the All-Tournament Team.

Tyson was 9-for-11 from the field including 6-of-8 from three-pointer range in just 17 minutes of action. Fellow freshman guard Jason Todd also had a nice game and finished with five points and three assists in 18 minutes off the bench.

The Crusaders controlled the game from the get-go, using a 17-3 run midway through the first period to take a 32-12 lead late in the period. A three-pointer by Alec Peters at the halftime buzzer made it a 42-20 edge for Valparaiso. Peters finished with a team-high 20 points and was named the Tournament's Most Valuable Player.

The deficit grew to as much as 26 points early in the second period before Tyson erupted with 19 points, including five three-pointers, to cut the margin down. Back-to-back threes by Tyson made it 57-41 with 8:32 remaining, but Valpo answered with a five straight points to put the game away.

Valpo dominated the boards with a 38-23 margin, including 15 offensive rebounds that led to 12 second chance points. The Crusaders also racked up a 32-16 advantage in points in the paint.

The Pilots shot 41 percent from the field, while Valpo finished at 50 percent overall.

Portland will have a quick turnaround after traveling back to the Pacific Northwest. The Pilots will host Portland State on Wednesday at 7 p.m. and then welcome Oregon State on Saturday at 7 p.m. Both games will be aired live on Sports 910 with a 30-minute pregame show.