Four Valparaiso University men’s basketball players scored in double figures and the Beacons outscored the guests 51-42 after halftime, but an early deficit was too much to overcome as visiting Belmont prevailed 96-78 on Saturday at the Athletics-Recreation Center. Part of the department’s All-Sports Reunion Weekend, the game featured a halftime celebration of the Valpo Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2024, including Raitis Grafs ‘03 (men’s basketball), Jon Robisch ‘64 (men’s basketball/baseball), Jordan Rutkowski ‘12 (softball) and Ozzie Young ‘96 (football).
How It Happened
- Belmont was sizzling in the early going, jumping out to a 21-2 lead by the 13:54 mark. The Bruins led 54-27 at halftime.
- Valpo battled in the second half, cutting a gap that had been as large as 30 all the way down to 12. The Beacons at one point made 10 consecutive field-goal attempts. A 9-0 Valpo run from the 8:33 mark of the second half to the 5:57 mark cut a 23-point gap to 14. The burst was capped by Jaxon Edwards (Indianapolis, Ind. / Cathedral [Murray State]) knocking down a trey.
- Valpo got a lift from a pair of seniors in the second half. Jerome Palm (Almere, Netherlands / Echnaton [Hillsborough CC]) used a spin move to create a dunk at the 10:19 mark, while Connor Barrett (Chicago, Ill. / Loyola Academy) made back-to-back late 3s, one with 4:58 to play and one with 2:44 left.
- Valpo shot 56.7 percent in the second stanza including 7-of-11 (63.6 percent) from 3.
Inside the Game
- Schwieger scored 16 points to pace the team, his third straight game in double figures. He’s scored nine points or more in nine straight games. On Saturday, he was 7-of-12 from the field.
- Schwieger was joined in double figures by Darius DeAveiro (Kanata, Ottawa, Canada / Orangeville Prep) with 14, Edwards with 13 and Isaiah Stafford (Bolingbrook, Ill. / Crispus Attucks [John A. Logan / Southern Indiana]) with 12. Stafford scored in double figures for the 18th time this season, while DeAveiro had his 11th and Edwards his eighth.
- The 13 points marked Edwards’ highest output in MVC play.
- DeAveiro grabbed a team-high four rebounds and handed out four assists. Stafford gave out four helpers as well.
- Valpo committed just 10 turnovers, the team’s seventh straight game with 11 turnovers or fewer.
- The Beacons boasted their highest shooting percentage in the last nine games by hitting at a 45.2 clip.
- This marked Valpo’s most points in a home regulation loss since an 82-80 defeat to Oakland on Dec. 17, 2011.
Postgame Press Conference
Click here for postgame press conference.
Up Next
The Beacons (6-19, 2-12 MVC) will host UNI on Wednesday at 7 p.m. for a Valentine’s Day matchup. For ticket information, visit valpoathletics.com/tickets.
