VALPARAISO - Just call it the post-Northridge blues.

After coming up big in the biggest game of the season Friday against their Northern Lakes Conference rivals from Middlebury, the Tigers experienced that major letdown that sometimes follows after an important victory against Valparaiso Saturday.

Appearing flat and with none of the fire from the night before, Warsaw fell to Valpo 53-46 in the first matchup between the two teams since 1937.

"Mentally, we were flat tonight," Warsaw coach Al Rhodes said. "As well as everybody stepped forward in the big game, we stepped backwards tonight."

After shooting over 60 percent from the field against Northridge, the Tigers struggled against Valpo's 2-3 zone and made only 15 of 39 (38 percent) and got beat on the boards by the taller Vikings 29-22.

"All of our decision making was too slow," Rhodes said. "They did a nice job in their zone of crowding the basket area. We got one shot, and when we made the shot, it was good. When we didn't, they usually got fast breaks and good opportunities."

On defense, Warsaw had trouble containing 6-foot-5 Viking junior Darren Kahl, who had 23 points and 10 boards. It was Kahl's offensive rebound and two ensuing free throws that sealed the win for the Vikings with 26 seconds left.

"We did not concentrate near as well on him (Kahl)," Rhodes said. "They set some good screens. We switched off the screens, the player that switched just let him go where he wanted to go."

Kahl consistently got the ball against the Tigers in the lane and got uncontested shots all game.

Warsaw broke away from a 14-14 first-quarter tie, going on a 9-3 run, to open the second quarter and took a 23-17 run. Valpo took the lead back with seven unanswered points. The margin was three, 30-27, at halftime.

The Vikings pushed the lead to 37-33 in the third quarter on a layup by Kahl, but Warsaw trimmed it to 39-37 on two straight jumpers from Nate O'Connell.

Valpo led 49-46 with a minute left when Kahl made two free throws. Tom Krizmanich then missed a three-pointer, and Valpo's Bayette George went to the line for two free throws. George proceeded to throw up two bricks that the NBA's Shaquille O'Neal would be proud of. But on the second miss, Kahl grabbed the offensive rebound and was fouled himself. His two free throws made it 51-46. Joe Nixon added two more freebies for the final total.

"I think you have to give them a lot of credit," Rhodes said of Valparaiso. "I know it was a big game for them to bring their record up to .500. They played with more of a competitive spirit than what we had."

With 16 seconds left in the game, Krizmanich went on the floor for a loose ball and hit his head on the court. He left under his own power, but was a little woozy. His status is uncertain.

Krizmanich led the Tigers with 14 points and 11 rebounds.

Warsaw (7-2) must now regroup in time for its holiday tournament against the three South Bends - Clay, Riley and Washington - this weekend.

"It is important that we look at the big picture instead of focusing on tonight," Rhodes said. "The kids have been through a tough week with finals and the Northridge game and the long ride here. It should be a good reminder that you must come to varsity basketball games with intensity and concentration and willing to compete physically. The two games we didn't do that, Huntington North and tonight, we have lost.

"It was disappointing, but I am not discouraged by this team," he said. "We have overachieved through the first half of the season, and now we have to chase hard for our first opportunity to become a championship team."

Warsaw plays Clay Friday at 6 p.m., while Riley and Washington play at 8 p.m. The consolation game and championship are set for Saturday. [[In-content Ad]]