VALPARAISO — Jamie Gutowski’s smile is bigger and brighter than ever now, if that’s possible. Just like the confidence in her shooting ability.

The sophomore guard from Andrean has reached double digits in eight of Valparaiso’s last nine games, averaging 12.2 ppg. Never one to shy away from shooting, the fiery Gutowski has been red-hot from 3-point range.

She leads the Mid-Continent Conference in 3-point sniping at a sizzling 46.2 percent, better than most players shooting inside the arc.

“Jamie’s always had the ability. Now she has confidence also,” said Steve Bruce, associate head coach. “She can catch and shoot quickly and has a knack for that shot. Now if she misses we’re all pretty surprised.”

Gutowski has made 30 of 65 bonus shots. She credits three things for her sharp shooting: confidence, VU’s inside-outside game — “opponents have to honor Jenna (Stangler) and (6-foot-4 freshman) Tamra (Braun) down low” — and point guard Katie Boone’s penetration and passing, Gutowski said. “She’ll drive and kick it out. It’s pretty easy to hit open shots,” Gutowski said.

She’s not the only Crusader lighting it up from downtown. Boone lacks the minimum shots to qualify in league stats but has swished 48 percent of her treys (13-27). And senior Suzie Hammel, who recently moved up to second on VU’s career list for 3-pointers made, shoots nearly 42 percent (41-98). She hit four treys for a season-high 22 points in Monday’s rout of IUPUI.

Valpo has shot 298 treys, 92 more than their foes, and hit 31 more (108-77).

“With Jamie, Suzie and Katie all capable (of hitting 3’s) we can spread things out,” making Valpo tougher to defend, Bruce said. Hammel now leads the balanced offense at 10.9 ppg. The 6-2 Stangler averages 10.8 points and a team-best 5.4 rebounds.

Gutowski is next at 8.8 ppg followed by Boone (6.8 ppg, 4.6 rebounds), Betsy Rietema (6.6 ppg) and Kathryn Knoester (6.4 ppg).

Rietema, a 6-1 guard, “has been great playing the No. 4 (power forward) for us,” said Bruce. “She’s so versatile, she can drive, shoot threes, pass, and guard anybody. She’s also very smart.”

Rietema has been moved inside since half of VU’s six post players are out.