The Valparaiso University men’s basketball team led by five with 1:21 to play and had a seven-point lead with just over three minutes on the clock, but host Missouri State rallied to force overtime and eventually controlled the extra session to prevail 76-67 at Great Southern Bank Arena in Springfield, Mo. Valpo heated up from 3-point territory during a stretch in the second half to build up the late lead, but the Bears responded to eke out a game that Valpo led by seven at halftime.
How It Happened
- The Beacons played from behind early as Missouri State owned a 14-6 lead with 14:11 left of first-half time. Valpo scored the next nine points to burst ahead 15-14 including a go-ahead triple by Connor Barrett.
- The Bears hit consecutive treys to regain a five-point edge. The hosts led 24-21 with 7:02 left in the half, but Valpo scored the next 12 points to open up a double figure lead. Ben Krikke and Kobe King both had dunks during that stretch.
- Valpo went into halftime leading 35-28 thanks in part due to transition offense. The Beacons held a 16-0 edge on fastbreak points midway through the contest.
- Missouri State used an 11-0 run in the second half to flip a 41-36 deficit into a 47-41 lead.
- After struggling from 3 for most of the game, Valpo started to hit big shots midway through the second half. Quinton Green knocked one in at the 9:46 mark, then hit another with 6:55 on the clock. His third straight came with 4:47 remaining and gave Valpo a 56-54 lead.
- Point guard Nick Edwards got in on the 3-point act to put Valpo up seven at 61-54 with 3:10 to play, but Missouri State hit three 3s of its own including two by Alston Mason to cut the deficit to two at 65-63. Mason hit two free throws with 22 seconds on the clock to tie the game at 65.
- Valpo had the final possession of regulation, but Krikke was well defended as the Bears turned away the last-second shot.
- Missouri State scored the first 11 points of overtime and got stop after stop in the extra session.
Inside the Game
- Krikke totaled 19 points and has been in double figures in all 13 league games. Krikke climbed his career point total to 1,410, surpassing both Jeff Simmons and Tevonn Walker to move into 14th on the program’s all-time scoring list.
- Krikke did not leave the floor, playing all 45 minutes.
- King scored 14 points and has scored in double figures in all 24 games this year. King and Krikke shared the team lead on the glass with seven apiece.
- Green scored 13 points to make it three Beacons in double figures.
- Edwards dished out a team-high five assists.
- Valpo held a 13-10 advantage on the offensive glass.
- The 3-point shot was a bugaboo as Valpo shot 6-of-29 (20.7 percent).
- Mason led Missouri State with 27 points and nine assists, both career highs.
- Valpo fell to 1-2 in overtime games and 0-2 in league games that have required an extra session.
Up Next
Valpo (10-14, 4-9 MVC) will attempt to get back in the win column as Drake comes to town at 6 p.m. on Saturday night. Tickets are available at valpoathletics.com/tickets and the Indiana Pacers dunk crew will provide halftime entertainment.
