Valpo beats Kent State 77-67 for 6th straight victory
SAVANNAH, Ga. -- Tevonn Walker scored 19 points, Bakari Evelyn had 13 points and seven assists, and Valparaiso beat Kent State 77-67 on Friday night for its sixth straight win.
Valpo is off to its best start since the 1966-67 squad won seven in a row. The Crusaders play UNC Wilmington on Saturday.
Derrik Smits gave Valpo a seven-point lead with 4:26 remaining in the game. Akiean Frederick answered for Kent State at the other end but the Golden Flashes didn't make another field goal in the game.
Joe Burton made a 3-pointer with 28 seconds left to extend Valpo's lead to 71-67 and Evelyn made four free throws.
Markus Golder also scored 13 points for Valpo (6-0). Marten Linssen added 12 points and seven rebounds.
Jaylin Walker paced Kent State (3-2) with 15 points but he was just 2 of 10 from 3-point range. Mitch Peterson and Adonis De La Rosa each added 10 points.
Kent State had more turnovers (11) than field goals (nine) in the first half and trailed 34-27. The Golden Flashes finished with 20 turnovers and 21 baskets.
Game Information
- Referees:
- Blake Harris
- Kevin Driver
- Nick Meyer
2024-25 Mid-American Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toledo | 3-0 | - | 9-6 |
| Miami (OH) | 2-0 | 0.5 | 10-4 |
| Akron | 2-0 | 0.5 | 9-5 |
| Ohio | 2-0 | 0.5 | 8-6 |
| Kent State | 2-1 | 1 | 11-4 |
| Ball State | 1-1 | 1.5 | 7-7 |
| Eastern Michigan | 1-1 | 1.5 | 7-7 |
| Bowling Green | 1-1 | 1.5 | 6-8 |
| Northern Illinois | 0-2 | 2.5 | 4-10 |
| Western Michigan | 0-2 | 2.5 | 3-11 |
| Central Michigan | 0-3 | 3 | 6-9 |
| Buffalo | 0-3 | 3 | 5-10 |
2024-25 Missouri Valley Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bradley | 4-1 | - | 13-3 |
| Drake | 3-2 | 1 | 13-2 |
| Belmont | 3-2 | 1 | 11-5 |
| UIC | 3-2 | 1 | 10-5 |
| Valparaiso | 3-2 | 1 | 10-6 |
| Murray State | 3-2 | 1 | 9-7 |
| Indiana State | 3-2 | 1 | 9-7 |
| Northern Iowa | 3-2 | 1 | 9-7 |
| Evansville | 3-2 | 1 | 6-10 |
| Illinois State | 2-3 | 2 | 10-6 |
| Missouri State | 0-5 | 4 | 7-9 |
| Southern Illinois | 0-5 | 4 | 5-11 |
Men's College Basketball News
