Valparaiso beats Illinois-Chicago 85-56

VALPARAISO, Ind. (AP) - Vashil Fernandez scored a career-high 15 points on 6-of-6 shooting and had blocked four shots to lead a balanced Valparasio attack Thursday in an 85-56 win over Illinois-Chicago.

Alec Peters, Tevonn Walker and Darien Walker scored 11 apiece, Jubril Adekoya scored 10, and the Crusaders (15-3, 2-1 Horizon) shot a hot 60.4 percent from the field to 30.4 percent for the Flames and outrebounded them 40-32.

UIC led 12-8 after a 3-pointer by Jay Harris, but Valparaiso pulled ahead 13-12 on a free throw by Peters, then used a 15-5 run to lead 47-32 at halftime. Fernandez scored 11 points in the half.

The Crusaders opened the second half with a 13-6 run, then pulled away on a 10-2 run to lead by as many as 30. All nine Crusaders who check in scored points and Valparasio's bench outshot UIC's 28-17.

Ahman Fells led the Flames (5-13, 1-2) with 13 points.