Valparaiso never trails, beats Monmouth 64-53
CONWAY, S.C. -- Deion Lavender scored 15 points on 7-of-8 shooting to help Valparaiso beat Monmouth 64-53 on Friday night in the Myrtle Beach Invitational.
Lavender also had eight rebounds and five assists. Ryan Fazekas added 13 points, including three 3-pointers, and Javon Freeman scored 12 for Valpo (2-1).
Freeman, Fazekas and Markus Golder each hit a 3-pointer during 12-2 run that was capped by Lavender's layup and made it 18-8 midway through the first half. Deion Hammond hit a 3-pointer that trimmed Monmouth's deficit to seven points with 5:20 to go but Fazekas answered with a 3 and Derrik Smits and Fazekas made back-to-back jumpers before Golder added a 3-pointer that made it 61-44 with less than three minutes remaining.
Mustapha Traore led Monmouth (0-5) with 14 points on 7-of-7 shooting. The rest of the Hawks shot just 30 percent (14 of 46) from the field.
Game Information
- Referees:
- Craig Murley
- Kevin Mathis
- Mike Eades
2024-25 Missouri Valley Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drake | 10-2 | - | 20-2 |
| Bradley | 9-2 | 0.5 | 18-4 |
| Belmont | 7-4 | 2.5 | 15-7 |
| Northern Iowa | 7-4 | 2.5 | 13-9 |
| UIC | 7-5 | 3 | 14-8 |
| Illinois State | 6-6 | 4 | 14-9 |
| Evansville | 5-6 | 4.5 | 8-14 |
| Indiana State | 5-7 | 5 | 11-12 |
| Murray State | 5-7 | 5 | 11-12 |
| Southern Illinois | 5-7 | 5 | 10-13 |
| Valparaiso | 3-9 | 7 | 10-13 |
| Missouri State | 1-11 | 9 | 8-15 |
2024-25 Coastal Athletic Association Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Towson | 9-1 | - | 14-9 |
| UNC Wilmington | 8-2 | 1 | 18-5 |
| Charleston | 7-2 | 1.5 | 17-5 |
| William & Mary | 7-2 | 1.5 | 13-9 |
| Campbell | 7-3 | 2 | 12-11 |
| Elon | 6-4 | 3 | 15-8 |
| Monmouth | 5-5 | 4 | 7-16 |
| Drexel | 4-6 | 5 | 12-11 |
| Hofstra | 4-6 | 5 | 12-11 |
| Northeastern | 4-6 | 5 | 12-11 |
| Delaware | 4-6 | 5 | 11-12 |
| Hampton | 3-7 | 6 | 11-12 |
| Stony Brook | 1-9 | 8 | 5-18 |
| North Carolina A&T | 0-10 | 9 | 4-19 |
Men's College Basketball News
