“From the moment we scheduled this game, we knew that if we had an opportunity to play them, which we hoped we would, it would be a great game, because they’ve been well-coached for so long,” Marquette head coach Tom Crean said.

“And with (Valparaiso head coach Homer Drew) back in there, they’re so hard to beat, because they do so many things well.”

Valparaiso’s Roberto Nieves was a thorn in the Golden Eagles’ side all night, leading his team with 17 points, 12 of which came from behind the three point arc. The senior guard sank two of his four three pointers in the first two minutes of the game, helping the Crusaders jump out to an early 11-0 lead. The Golden Eagles came back and threatened to overcome Valpo on several occasions, but couldn’t push ahead until after halftime. Their first lead came five minutes into the second half when Diener converted on a three-point play to put Marquette in front, 39-38.

From then on, the lead flip-flopped back and forth, with the two sides exchanging the point-advantage 10 times.

With 1:05 to go, Merritt’s two free throws put Marquette ahead, 72-69.

Valpo’s Ali Berdiel (12 points, 10 assists), who had stayed hard on the Golden Eagles’ heels throughout the game, ran out of gas and was shaken off the trail, missing a critical free throw that opened the door for Diener’s game-winning basket.

Diener was the rock that steadied the offense Saturday night, scoring 26 points and shooting 11 of 17 from the field and 3 of 7 from behind the three-point arc.

“You’ve got to give all the credit to Diener,” Drew said. “I told him that when he has a child that that child has to come to Valparaiso and play for us. I thought that Travis did a wonderful job making big baskets when they needed it.”

Diener, who was named tournament MVP after the game and Conference USA Athlete ofthe Week on Monday, played 38 minutes and was one assist away from a double-double with nine.

“He just continues to get better,” Crean said. “He’s played three games now, and turned the ball over twice. When you get unselfish players who move the ball, it becomes infectious with everybody else.”

Senior forward Scott Merritt also turned in a good performance. With 16 points, Merritt scored in double digits for the second straight game and collected 10 rebounds for his first double-double of the season.

Merritt and Diener were named to the All-Tournament team after the game, as were Berdiel, Nieves and Valparaiso’s sophomore forward Dan Oppland (11 points, 9 rebounds).

In Friday’s game against Savannah State, Marquette easily cruised past the Tigers, 79-41. Merritt led the team with 17 points and Diener had 14, while sophomore guard Joe Chapman had 13. Marquette also set a school record for most free throws attempted during a game, making 35 out of 50. Marquette was, however, out-rebounded by the Tigers, 45-42.

Savannah State’s head coach Edward Daniels, Jr., a Marquette alumnus, was a member of the 1974 Marquette men’s basketball team that played in the National Championship that year, losing to North Carolina State.

Valparaiso had defeated Arkansas-Monticello in the opening game of the tournament, 72-53, in order to advance to the championship game against the Golden Eagles.

Marquette announced Thursday that freshman forward James Matthews has been suspended from the team.

“From the very beginning, James and I were in agreement that there are standards for this program which are non-negotiable,” Crean said in a press release. “At this point, James has been suspended from all team activities so that he can concentrate on his academic responsibilities. We both want what is best for James now, and in the future.”