UIC Flames vs Valparaiso Beacons
Wright scores 22, 11th-seeded Valparaiso downs sixth-seeded UIC in Missouri Valley Tournament 67-50
ST. LOUIS -- — All Wright had 22 points in 11th-seeded Valparaiso's 67-50 upset win over No. 6-seed UIC on Thursday in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament.
The Beacons advance to the quarterfinals and will battle the No. 3 seed, Northern Iowa, on Friday.
Wright went 9 of 16 from the field (3 for 6 from 3-point range) for the Beacons (14-18). Cooper Schwieger scored 17 points and added 11 rebounds and six blocks. Jefferson Monegro had nine points and went 4 of 11 from the field (1 for 5 from 3-point range).
Ethan Pickett led the Flames (17-14) in scoring, finishing with 11 points and six rebounds. Filip Skobalj added nine points and two steals for UIC. Sasa Ciani also had eight points.
Valparaiso took the lead with 17:14 left in the first half and did not relinquish it. The score was 37-21 at halftime, with Schwieger racking up 15 points. Valparaiso pulled away with a 10-0 run in the second half to extend a 14-point lead to 24 points. They outscored UIC by one point in the final half, as Wright led the way with a team-high 10 second-half points.
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Game Information
- Referees:
- Bert Smith
- Jeff Malham
- Brooks Wells
2025-26 Missouri Valley Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belmont | 0-0 | - | 8-1 |
| Northern Iowa | 0-0 | - | 7-1 |
| Illinois State | 0-0 | - | 7-2 |
| Drake | 0-0 | - | 6-3 |
| Murray State | 0-0 | - | 6-3 |
| Valparaiso | 0-0 | - | 5-3 |
| Bradley | 0-0 | - | 5-4 |
| Indiana State | 0-0 | - | 5-4 |
| Southern Illinois | 0-0 | - | 5-4 |
| UIC | 0-0 | - | 4-4 |
| Evansville | 0-0 | - | 4-5 |

