Big 1st half carries Valparaiso past Missouri State, 82-66
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Ryan Fazekas scored 18 points and Valparaiso used a big first half to roll past Missouri State, 82-66 and pick up a Missouri Valley Conference victory on the road Saturday afternoon.
Valpo needed a running, 50-foot buzzer beater to get past Illinois State in its conference opener, but wasted no time taking charge against the Bears, rolling to a 46-24 advantage by intermission.
Jarred Dixon opened the second half with a 4-point play and Kabir Mohammed added a 3-point play cut the Missouri State deficit to 46-30, but the Bears were never able to get within single digits.
Fazekas was 6 of 11 from beyond the 3-point arc and Bakari Evelyn added 13 points off the bench for the Crusaders (9-6, 2-0). Deion Lavender grabbed 10 rebounds and dished five assists.
Dixon finished with 23 points for Missouri State (6-9, 0-2). Mohammed added another 13 points and grabbed eight boards.
Game Information
- Referees:
- Brad Ferrie
- Jeff Campbell
- Ervin Wilson
2023-24 Missouri Valley Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana State | 17-3 | - | 32-7 |
| Drake | 16-4 | 1 | 28-7 |
| Bradley | 13-7 | 4 | 23-12 |
| Belmont | 12-8 | 5 | 20-13 |
| Northern Iowa | 12-8 | 5 | 19-14 |
| Southern Illinois | 11-9 | 6 | 19-13 |
| Illinois State | 9-11 | 8 | 15-17 |
| Murray State | 9-11 | 8 | 12-20 |
| Missouri State | 8-12 | 9 | 17-16 |
| Evansville | 6-14 | 11 | 17-18 |
| UIC | 4-16 | 13 | 12-21 |
| Valparaiso | 3-17 | 14 | 7-25 |
Men's College Basketball News
