With a little more than a minute left Sunday, Tevonn Walker passed to Shane Hammink for a three-point play.
It was fitting that duo combined to all but put the finishing touches on Valparaiso’s 81-74 Horizon League win against Detroit Mercy at the Athletics-Recreation Center.
Hammink tied his career high with 23 points, while Walker had 21 points, a season-high 10 rebounds and a career-high five steals.
After Friday’s loss to Oakland, Crusaders coach Matt Lottich questioned if Hammink and Walker fully capitalized on all of the defensive attention the Grizzlies were focusing on Alec Peters.
The senior and junior answered to help the Crusaders (12-4, 2-1) finally shake the pesky Titans (2-14, 0-4).
“I just got in the gym after that game,” Walker said. “I was disappointed. I just stayed with what I’ve been practicing and tried to get my rhythm back.”
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Walker and Hammink spearheaded Valparaiso’s parade to the foul line against Detroit’s press. Walker shot 12-for-14 and Hammink 14-for-15 as the Crusaders made 78.6 percent (33-for-42).
“You attack the basket, you get fouled, that’s part of the play,” Hammink said. “I’m happy to go to the free-throw line and make them.”
Peters posted his seventh straight double-double with 17 points, 11 rebounds and four assists, shooting 7-for-9. His seventh basket, a tip-in with 8:30 left, tied Bryce Drew for the most in Valparaiso history with 696.
Peters downplayed matching the mark.
“We won a ballgame,” he said. “We have more games to play, a lot more field goals to score. It’s just something I can reflect on after the season.”
Lottich was more effusive as Peters continues to pile up records.
“It’s pretty cool,” he said. “It’s longevity and the ability to perform for a long time. It’s a neat thing.
“He’s been a scorer here for a long time. It’s awesome to see. I’ve been here for all the field goals, and Alec’s been a special player. It’s definitely something to celebrate. But I agree with him — we have team goals that are more important than individuals.”
Valparaiso didn’t have the easiest time against Detroit. The Crusaders opened a 67-52 lead with 7:22 left before the Titans closed to 73-70. But Walker and Hammink connected for the three-point play with 1:23 left.
Detroit shot 40.8 percent (29-for-71), but Valparaiso committed 20 turnovers.
“Detroit played extremely hard,” Lottich said. “They got us very sped up at times. They really were aggressive and shot the heck out of the ball from three.
“There’s no doubt, we have to get better. They had a lot of fight in them, they never quit, but neither did our guys. I’m happy with the way we responded after a tough game.”
Indeed, the Crusaders were eager to move past Friday’s loss to Oakland.
“It was important to get back on the right track and winning conference games, especially on your home court,” Peters said. “But we’re turning the ball over way too much, we have to work on that. I personally turned the ball over way too much. To win this conference and make a run down the road, you can’t turn the ball over 20 times in a game.”
Twitter @MichaelOsipoff