Valparaiso Beacons @ Missouri State Bears
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VAL | 18 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 70 |
MOST | 23 | 17 | 25 | 20 | 85 |
No. 23 Missouri St. women top Valpo for share of MVC title
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Brice Calip and Alexa Willard scored 17 points apiece, leading four other players into double-digit scoring as No. 23 Missouri State blew away from Valparaiso in the second half, winning 85-70 Thursday night.
The win clinched at least a share of the regular-season Missouri Valley Conference championship for the Lady Bears (25-4. 15-2) as well as the outright top seed into next week's conference tournament.
Willard reached 1,500 career points with a 3-pointer early in the second quarter and finished with 1,509. She is the 12th Lady Bear to pass 1,500 career points.
Missouri State needed a buzzer-beating 3-pointer from Elle Ruffridge to lead 40-37 at intermission after Valparaiso fought into three ties in the second quarter. Ruffridge finished with 15 points, making five 3-pointers.
Grace White led the Crusaders (16-12, 8-9) with 18 points, Ella Ellenson added 12 and Caitlin Morrison 10.
After an even first half with each team shooting 14 for 30, Missouri State was 14-for-32 shooting from the field (44%) after halftime while holding the Crusaders to 8 for 24 (33%). The Lady Bears owned a 42-30 edge in rebounding.
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Game Information
Springfield, MO
Referee:Zac Brost
Referee:Michelle Kramer
2025-26 Standings
| Missouri Valley Conference | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Murray State | 7-0 | - | 16-2 |
| Belmont | 7-1 | 0.5 | 11-8 |
| Northern Iowa | 5-2 | 2 | 9-8 |
| Bradley | 4-3 | 3 | 11-7 |
| Illinois State | 4-3 | 3 | 10-8 |
| Drake | 4-3 | 3 | 5-12 |
| UIC | 3-4 | 4 | 8-10 |
| Indiana State | 2-5 | 5 | 6-11 |
| Evansville | 2-5 | 5 | 4-14 |
| Southern Illinois | 2-6 | 5.5 | 5-12 |
| Valparaiso | 0-8 | 7.5 | 0-19 |
| Conference USA | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Middle Tennessee | 5-1 | - | 10-8 |
| Sam Houston | 4-1 | 0.5 | 11-5 |
| Louisiana Tech | 4-1 | 0.5 | 11-5 |
| Missouri State | 4-1 | 0.5 | 12-6 |
| Florida International | 3-2 | 1.5 | 10-6 |
| Jacksonville State | 3-2 | 1.5 | 9-8 |
| New Mexico State | 3-3 | 2 | 7-11 |
| Liberty | 2-3 | 2.5 | 8-8 |
| Kennesaw State | 1-4 | 3.5 | 8-8 |
| Delaware | 1-4 | 3.5 | 7-10 |
| UTEP | 1-5 | 4 | 9-8 |
| Western Kentucky | 1-5 | 4 | 5-12 |
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