Valparaiso Beacons @ Northern Kentucky Norse
| 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|
VAL | 37 | 41 | 78 |
NKU | 40 | 42 | 82 |
N. Kentucky beats Valparaiso 82-78 behind McDonald's 23 pts
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. -- Drew McDonald scored 23 points, Lavone Holland II made a pair of free throws with 2.3 seconds left and Northern Kentucky beat Valparaiso 82-78 on Sunday.
Valparaiso (24-7, 14-4) missed a chance to secure the top seed in the Horizon League Tournament when Oakland (14-4, 24-7) beat Milwaukee (8-23, 4-14), 86-75 later in the day. Oakland swept Valparaiso in the season series.
Northern Kentucky (21-10, 12-6) is the fourth seed after Green Bay (18-12, 12-6) secured the No. 3 seed with an 89-81 win over Detroit (8-21, 6-11) Sunday.
The Norse led most of the second half against Valparaiso after a 40-37 lead at halftime. Shane Hammink's 3-pointer with 5.3 seconds left brought the Crusaders to within 78-76, and forced to foul, McDonald made a pair of free throws. The Norse deliberately fouled Max Joseph, who sank a pair, before Holland secured the win at the line.
Hollland and Carson Williams each scored 17 points.
Tevonn Walker led Valparaiso with 25 points, Hammink 23 and Joseph added 12.
Game Information
Highland Heights, KY
Referee:Larry Scirotto
Referee:Mike Eades
Referee:Brooks Wells
2025-26 Standings
| Missouri Valley Conference | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belmont | 16-4 | - | 26-6 |
| Bradley | 13-7 | 3 | 21-13 |
| Illinois State | 12-8 | 4 | 23-13 |
| Murray State | 12-8 | 4 | 20-13 |
| UIC | 12-8 | 4 | 19-16 |
| Northern Iowa | 11-9 | 5 | 23-13 |
| Valparaiso | 11-9 | 5 | 18-15 |
| Southern Illinois | 10-10 | 6 | 16-16 |
| Drake | 6-14 | 10 | 14-20 |
| Indiana State | 4-16 | 12 | 11-21 |
| Evansville | 3-17 | 13 | 7-25 |
| Horizon League | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wright State | 15-5 | - | 23-12 |
| Robert Morris | 13-7 | 2 | 22-11 |
| Green Bay | 12-8 | 3 | 18-15 |
| Detroit Mercy | 12-8 | 3 | 17-15 |
| Oakland | 12-8 | 3 | 16-16 |
| Purdue Fort Wayne | 11-9 | 4 | 17-15 |
| Northern Kentucky | 10-10 | 5 | 20-14 |
| Youngstown State | 8-12 | 7 | 15-17 |
| Milwaukee | 8-12 | 7 | 12-20 |
| Cleveland State | 6-14 | 9 | 11-22 |
| IU Indianapolis | 3-17 | 12 | 7-25 |
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