Valparaiso beats Arkansas-Fort Smith 86-74

STATESBORO, Ga. — Cory Johnson scored 26 points and had nine rebounds to lead Valparaiso to an 86-74 victory over Arkansas-Fort Smith on Sunday.

Johnson was 12 of 16 from the field and helped the Crusaders (3-4) outrebound the Lions 34-27 in the Legends Classic.

Valparaiso scored 43 points in each half, and shot 64.3 percent from the field (18-for-28) in the second half and 57.4 percent (35-for-61) for the game. The Crusaders were 8 of 17 from the 3-point line (47.1 percent).

Arkansas-Fort Smith (1-6) cut Valparaiso’s lead to 51-45 on Aaron McHenry’s 3-pointer with 17:11 left in the game, but Johnson hit two layups and Brandon Wood scored to stretch the Crusaders’ advantage to 57-45 with 13:49 remaining.

Brandon McPherson scored 18 points, Wood added 12 and Howard Little finished with 10 points for Valparaiso.

McHenry led the Lions with 23 points, followed by Josh Simmons with 15.