AP

Washington's Darnell Gant (44) sits on the bench as the final seconds expire in the basketball game against Valparaiso in a College Basketball Invitational in Seattle on Wednesday, March 19, 2008. Valparaiso beat Washington 72-71.

SEATTLE - Valparaiso freshman Brian Bouchie said a short prayer as he watched Jon Brockman at the free-throw line with a chance to tie the score or put Washington ahead with 4.7 seconds left.

"I was praying he would miss at least one," Bouchie said.

Brockman had 22 points and 12 rebounds to lead the hometown Huskies but missed the two free throws in the final seconds. He was 4-for-8 from the free-throw line for the game. Bouchie scored 20 points and Brandon McPherson 18 as Valparaiso held on to beat Washington 72-71 Wednesday night in the first round of the inaugural College Basketball Invitational.

Shawn Huff scored on a drive with 2:45 remaining for the final points as the Crusaders (22-13) won in the first meeting of the two schools. "It was stunning to see," Bouchie said of the final 2:45 without any points. "We didn't really realize that until we were back in the locker room that was the last basket scored. That was kind of different."

Washington (16-17) missed seven shots from the field in the final two minutes in the West Region game. Justin Dentmon scored 11 points for the Huskies and Quincy Pondexter had 10 in front of a crowd of 3,227.

Urule Igbavboa had 17 points for the Crusaders, who fell behind 71-70 on a 3-pointer by Joel Smith with 3:08 left. The Crusaders missed two shots from the field and two free throws in the final 2 minutes.

Valparaiso plays at Houston (23-9) on Monday in a quarterfinal game. "It feels good to get this win," Bouchie said. "We were not sure we were even going to play so it felt good to get out here and get things started."

Pondexter missed an inside shot that could have put the Huskies ahead by one with 25 seconds left and then fouled Huff, who missed two free throws with 18.4 seconds.

The Huskies worked the ball to Brockman, who missed a shot, got the rebound and was fouled. The Huskies shot 11-for-24 from the foul line, 46 percent, down from a season average 59 percent. "We had our chances down the stretch and didn't capitalize," Washington coach Lorenzo Romar said. "Obviously, we're very disappointed."

Brockman , who entered the game seven minutes into the first half, had 14 points and five rebounds to help the Huskies to a 36-33 halftime lead. He missed the previous game, a Pac-10 tournament loss to California, with a sprained ankle. "We were hopeful he wouldn't have to play," Romar said of Brockman. "But neither team could score much early, so we gave him an opportunity and he did a remarkable job despite the gimpy ankle."

Washington starting center Artem Wallace left the game with a knee injury after 1 minute.

The victory meant a lot to Valparaiso. "I am very proud of our team and their perseverance to come back," Valparaiso coach Homer Drew said before quickly leaving to catch a flight to Washington, D.C. to watch his son Scott Drew coach Baylor against Purdue Thursday in the NCAA tournament.

"Our two big guys did a real good job inside." Bouchie and Igbavboa had a tough time stopping Brockman, but combined for 37 points and nine rebounds. "They did a good job, Bouchie in particular did a really good job," Romar said."We contained Huff and they didn't go crazy from the 3-point line. But I think that spread us out and we had just had one-on-one coverage."

Washington junior Joel Smith struggled with the loss. "It's frustrating," Smith said. "We scrapped and tried to get the job done. We just couldn't pull it out in the last couple of minutes."

Brian Bouchie scored 20 points and Brandon McPherson 18 as Valparaiso held on to beat Washington 72-71 Wednesday night in the first round of the inaugural College Basketball Invitational.

Jon Brockman had 22 points and 12 rebounds to lead the hometown Huskies but missed two free throws with 4.7 seconds left.

Shawn Huff scored on a drive with 2:45 remaining for the final points as the Crusaders (22-13) won in the first meeting of the two schools.

Washington (16-17) missed seven shots from the field in the final two minutes in the West Region game. Justin Dentmon scored 11 points for the Huskies and Quincy Pondexter had 10.

Urule Igbavboa had 17 points for the Crusaders, who fell behind 71-70 on a 3-pointer by Joel Smith with 3:08 left.

Valparaiso plays at Houston (23-9) Monday in a quarterfinal game.

Pondexter missed an inside shot that could have put the Huskies ahead by one with 25 seconds left and then fouled Huff, who missed two free throws with 18.4 seconds.

The Huskies worked the ball to Brockman, who missed a shot, got the rebound and was fouled. The Huskies shot 11-for-24 from the foul line, 46 percent, down from a season average 59 percent.

Brockman , who entered the game seven minutes into the first half, had 14 points and five rebounds to help the Huskies to a 36-33 halftime lead. He missed the previous game, a Pac-10 tournament loss to California, with a sprained ankle.

Washington starting center Artem Wallace left the game with a knee injury after 1 minute.