After a strong week highlighted by a stellar first half on Friday night at No. 23 Illinois, Valparaiso University men’s basketball junior Isaiah Stafford (Bolingbrook, Ill. / Crispus Attucks [John A. Logan / Southern Indiana]) has been named the Missouri Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week.

Stafford averaged 24.0 points per game this week, adding six total rebounds, two steals and a block over two games in which he shot 78.6 percent (11-of-14) from the free-throw line. He started the week with an 18-point performance in a home win over Green Bay before scoring 30 points on Friday at No. 23 Illinois.

Stafford became just the sixth different Valpo player with 30 or more points in a game in the last decade. This marked the most points scored by a non-power conference opponent against Illinois since 2020. He had 23 points before halftime, the most by a Valpo player in a first half since Alec Peters in December 2016 vs. Indiana State.

The Beacons will return home on Tuesday night to welcome Western Illinois for a 7 p.m. tip.