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 | 11-1 | - | 20-3 |
| Belmont | 10-2 | 1 | 14-9 |
| Bradley | 9-4 | 2.5 | 16-8 |
| Illinois State | 8-4 | 3 | 14-9 |
| Northern Iowa | 7-6 | 4.5 | 11-12 |
| UIC | 6-6 | 5 | 11-12 |
| Southern Illinois | 5-7 | 6 | 8-13 |
| Drake | 5-8 | 6.5 | 6-17 |
| Indiana State | 4-9 | 7.5 | 8-15 |
| Evansville | 4-9 | 7.5 | 6-18 |
| Valparaiso | 0-13 | 11.5 | 0-24 |
| Conference USA | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Tech | 10-1 | - | 17-5 |
| Sam Houston | 7-3 | 2.5 | 14-7 |
| Missouri State | 7-3 | 2.5 | 15-8 |
| Florida International | 7-4 | 3 | 14-8 |
| Middle Tennessee | 7-4 | 3 | 12-11 |
| Jacksonville State | 6-5 | 4 | 12-11 |
| Liberty | 5-6 | 5 | 11-11 |
| Delaware | 5-6 | 5 | 11-12 |
| Kennesaw State | 4-7 | 6 | 11-11 |
| New Mexico State | 4-7 | 6 | 8-15 |
| UTEP | 2-9 | 8 | 10-12 |
| Western Kentucky | 1-10 | 9 | 5-17 |
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