VALPARAISO, Ind., March 13 (UPI) -- Erik Buggs scored 22 points for Valparaiso Tuesday to lead the Crusaders to a 62-54 win over visiting Wright State in the Horizon League tournament final.
The win sends Valparaiso (26-7) to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2004.
Buggs hit 9-of-13 shots from the field and stole the ball four times. Will Bogan scored 14 points for Valparaiso and Kevin Van Wijk tallied 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Reggie Arceneaux led Wright State (21-12) with 14 points but was the only Raider to score in double figures.
Valparaiso held a comfortable 36-25 lead at halftime and 53.8 percent from the field to the Raiders' 38.9 percent. The Crusaders, on the other hand, turned the ball over 25 times to 12 for Wright State.
