The HLN Student Section Challenge Tour stopped at the ARC on the campus of Valparaiso University on Saturday as the Crusaders played host to then second-place Detroit. Over 3,600 fans and 500-plus students were on hand to witness this epic battle as Valpo ultimately triumphed, 74-70.
Although the game would definitely be shown on Horizon League Classic, the Drew Crew showed me something even more impressive and nothing I've yet seen this season, the ability to overcome adversity.
Coming out of intermission, Valpo was up 19 points and riding high from the Crusaders' first-half heroics. Brandon Wood had just posterized Detroit's Thomas Kennedy and a minute later Michael Rodgers took flight for an alley-oop dunk to end the half. All the pieces were in place for a home team blowout.
UDM Head Coach Ray McCallum must have given his squad some of MJ's secret stuff from Space Jambecause the Titans opened the second half with a 26-4 run, securing a four-point lead with 10 minutes to play.
Crusader fans were flabbergasted and the arena was silenced. But not the Drew Crew. Valpo students stayed loud and active, bringing the crowd back into the game and helping their team to a victory.
Leading the student section were a quintet of guys that painted V-A-L-P-O on their chests. Check out Jeff Ragauskis (the O) in the video below.
Mad props go out to the students who dressed up as Bert & Ernie, Batman, Spiderman, Wolverine and Flash. College randomness never gets old.
In the category of sportsmanship, the Drew Crew receives extra credit. After the game about twenty students stayed behind to help clean up their section of the bleachers, an act more rare than a Michael Scott compliment to Toby Flenderson (Office reference).
Great job Valpo, I'm sure Homer was proud.
Heading to Cleveland State next Saturday for the Butler game. I have high hopes for the CSU students...don't let me down.
Stay Crazy, Horizon League.
-Mike
Remaining Challenge Tour Dates Feb. 13: Butler at Cleveland State Feb. 16: Cleveland State at Green Bay Feb. 20: Eastern Michigan at Detroit (BracketBuster Game) Feb. 27: Detroit at Youngstown State
