VALPARAISO, Ind. -- Bethune-Cookman cut a 22-point Valparaiso lead down to nine, but the Crusaders withstood Wildcat second-half runs for a 77-64 victory in the Joe Cipriano Nebraska Classic Saturday.

Ryan Broekhoff scored 26 of his career-high 30 in the first half as the Crusaders (5-1) used an 18-0 run to take an early 20-3 lead. Valpo led 44-28 at half and 50-28 with 18:57 left.

B-CU (2-4) closed to 58-49 on two Paul Scotland free throws with 11:03 left and 65-55 on a Malik Jackson jumper with 7:15 to play, but could come no closer.

Adrien Coleman led B-CU with 19, while Alex Smith hit a career-high 17 and Kevin Dukes 16.

The Wildcats play their home opener Tuesday against North Florida Tuesday at 7 p.m.

NOTES: B-CU shot a season-high 50 (24-48) percent from the field, with Smith going 8-11 ... Valpo was 23-42 from the field (54.8 percent) and had a 33-19 advantage on the board ... Dukes now has made a three-pointer in 25 straight games ... Coleman has now reached double figures in eight consecutive games ... Smith had three blocked shots for the third time this season ... The Wildcats dressed just eight players.