MVC Announces Future Sites For Its Women's Basketball Championship

The Missouri Valley Conference has announced future sites for the MVC Women’s Basketball Championship. The three-year rotation includes Ford Center in Evansville, Ind. (2025); Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa (2026); and Vibrant Arena at The MARK in Moline, Ill. (2027).


Earnest Named Academic All-District Honoree

Valpo women’s basketball senior Leah Earnest (Stevens Point, Wis./SPASH) was named an Academic All-District selection by College Sports Communicators on Tuesday for her work on the basketball court and in the classroom. Earnest was also chosen to advance to the national ballot for Academic All-America honors.


Women’s Basketball Season Comes to End Thursday Evening

The 10th-seeded Valpo women’s basketball team got out to a strong start to its first-round matchup against seventh-seeded UIC in the opening round of Hoops in the Heartland Thursday evening in Moline, Ill., leading by as many as 13 points, but the Flames rallied to edge the Beacons, 79-77, and end Valpo’s season.


Earnest Earns Second Team All-MVC Honors

Valpo women’s basketball senior Leah Earnest (Stevens Point, Wis./SPASH) was recognized Wednesday evening as a Second Team All-Missouri Valley Conference honoree at the 2024 MVC Women’s Basketball Awards Banquet.


Brown, Earnest Named to MVC Scholar-Athlete Teams

The Valpo women’s basketball program was represented by a pair of players as the Missouri Valley Conference unveiled its 2023-24 Scholar-Athlete Teams Tuesday afternoon. Fifth-year Olivia Brown (East Grand Rapids, Mich./East Grand Rapids [St. Bonaventure]) was a Second Team Scholar-Athlete selection, while senior Leah Earnest (Stevens Point, Wis./SPASH) was a Third Team Scholar-Athlete choice.


Valpo Basketball Weekly - March 11

Valpo women's basketball head coach Mary Evans joins this week's edition of Valpo Basketball Weekly heading into Hoops in the Heartland!


Hoops in the Heartland Kicks Off Thursday Evening Against UIC

The Valpo women’s basketball team heads to Hoops in the Heartland in Moline, Ill. as the 10th seed for the MVC Tournament. The Beacons will have to win four games in four days to claim the tournament championship, starting on Thursday evening against seventh-seeded UIC.


Beacons Celebrate Senior Day, Fall to Missouri State

The Valpo women’s basketball program celebrated the four members of their senior class participating in their final game at the ARC prior to Saturday afternoon’s regular season finale as part of Senior Day festivities. Visiting Missouri State was not a kind guest, however, as the Lady Bears dealt the Beacons a 77-66 defeat.


Women's Basketball Hosts Missouri State Saturday on Senior Day

The Valpo women’s basketball team finishes up the regular season Saturday afternoon, taking on Missouri State. It will be Senior Day at the ARC, with Jill Harris, Emma Tecca, Olivia Brown and Ava Interrante being honored prior to the contest.


Women’s Basketball Drops Battle with SIU Thursday

Valpo women’s basketball senior Leah Earnest (Stevens Point, Wis./SPASH) scored a game-high 25 points Thursday evening, but the Beacons were unable to get over the hump in the second half as Southern Illinois held off every Valpo rally, eventually sending the Beacons to a 60-51 defeat.


Women's Basketball Opens Final Home Weekend Thursday Versus SIU

The Valpo women’s basketball team returns to its home court at the ARC for the final weekend of regular season play, starting with a big conference matchup Thursday evening against Southern Illinois.


Beacons Drop Regular Season Road Finale

Despite a season-high 19 points from freshman Saniya Jackson (Fort Wayne, Ind./Northrop) leading all players, the Valpo women’s basketball team was unable to overcome MVC regular season champion Drake on Saturday afternoon in Des Moines, falling to the Bulldogs by an 82-62 final.


Women's Basketball Plays Final Regular Season Road Game Saturday

The Valpo women’s basketball team faces its final road test of the regular season Saturday afternoon, taking on MVC-leading Drake at the Knapp Center.


Beacons Fall at UNI Thursday

The Valpo women’s basketball team kicked off its final road trip of the regular season Thursday night in Cedar Falls, Iowa, falling to host UNI by a 78-59 final.


Beacon Women Kick Off Road Trip with Leap Day Game at UNI

The Valpo women’s basketball team embarks on its final road trip of the regular season this week, starting off Thursday night as the Beacons play at UNI.


Women's Basketball Honors Cancer Warriors at Sunday's Play4Kay Game

The Valpo women’s basketball team hosted its annual Play4Kay game on Sunday at the ARC, recognizing cancer warriors as the program’s guests of honor and raising money for the battle against all cancers affecting women.


Earnest Reaches 1,000-Point Milestone; Women’s Basketball Bested by UIC Sunday

The Valpo women’s basketball team was unable to overcome a 15-2 run to start the game by visiting UIC Sunday at the ARC, falling to the Flames by an 82-59 final. In the second quarter, senior Leah Earnest (Stevens Point, Wis./SPASH) joined the program’s 1,000-career point club.


Beacons Host Play4Kay Game Sunday Against UIC

The Valpo women’s basketball team hosts its annual Play4Kay game on Sunday when it welcomes UIC to the ARC. The last three regular season meetings between the two programs have all gone right down to the wire.


Women’s Basketball Falls to Belmont Thursday

The Valpo women’s basketball team returned to the ARC Thursday evening, falling to reigning MVC regular season co-champions Belmont by an 83-56 final. Senior Leah Earnest (Stevens Point, Wis./SPASH) surpassed the 600-rebound mark for her career, becoming just the 12th player in program history to reach that milestone.


Women's Basketball Returns Home, Hosts Belmont Thursday

The Valpo women’s basketball team returns home to the ARC for a pair of games this week, starting with a Thursday evening contest against Belmont - the Beacons’ lone matchup with the Bruins in the regular season.


Valpo Basketball Weekly - Feb. 20

On this week's edition of Valpo Basketball Weekly, women's basketball head coach Mary Evans looks back at last weekend's performances, share where she's seen the team make its biggest strides recently and talks about what Sunday's Play4Kay game means to the program.


Earnest’s Career Night Not Enough as Illinois State Rallies in Fourth Quarter to Down Beacons

Already enjoying a tremendous season, Valpo women’s basketball senior Leah Earnest (Stevens Point, Wis./SPASH) hit a new level on Saturday afternoon, pouring in a career-high 32 points and grabbing 13 rebounds, but it proved not to be enough for the win in the end, as host Illinois State came from behind in the fourth quarter to deal the Beacons a 78-64 defeat.


Women's Basketball Goes For Fourth Straight Road Win Saturday at Illinois State

Coming off its third consecutive road win last time out, the Valpo women’s basketball team goes after four wins in a row away from home Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. when it plays at Illinois State.


Beacons Start Strong in Road Win at Bradley

The Valpo women’s basketball team never trailed Thursday evening at Bradley, shooting 81.8% in the first quarter to get out to a 12-point lead and rolling from there to a 68-50 victory to complete a season sweep of the Braves.


Women's Basketball Returns to Road at Bradley Thursday

With less than a month remaining until the start of Hoops in the Heartland, the Valpo women’s basketball team heads on the road this weekend for the swing through central Illinois, beginning Thursday evening at Bradley.


Women’s Basketball to Host Play4Kay Game February 25

The Valpo women’s basketball program will host its annual Play4Kay game, honoring cancer warriors in the fight against all cancers affecting women, on Sunday, Feb. 25 against UIC at 1 p.m. The program would like to invite all interested female cancer survivors and those who may still be fighting to be the program’s guests of honor that afternoon.


Beacons Drop Battle Against Evansville Sunday

The Valpo women’s basketball team came up just short in a tight contest against Evansville Sunday at the ARC, as a second-chance basket inside the final 15 seconds proved critical in the Purple Aces coming away with a 71-68 win.


Women's Basketball Looks to Bounce Back Sunday Versus Evansville

The Valpo women’s basketball team looks for a bounce-back performance on Sunday as the Beacons conclude their home weekend against visiting Evansville.


Comeback Effort Falls Just Short Friday

Trailing by 15 points with 6:28 to play Friday evening at the ARC against Indiana State, it would have been easy for the Valpo women’s basketball team to pack it in. The Beacons dug their heels in and nearly erased the Sycamores’ entire lead, getting to within two points with 2:41 to play, but Valpo wasn’t able to take the final step to complete the rally, as Indiana State left the ARC with a 70-65 victory.


Three Valpo Players Named ‘So You Want to Be a Coach’ Participants

A trio of Beacons will take part in the 2024 ‘So You Want to Be a Coach’ program, hosted by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association. Olivia Brown (East Grand Rapids, Mich./East Grand Rapids [St. Bonaventure]), Jill Harris (Navarre, Fla./Crestview [Johnson C. Smith]) and Emma Tecca (Tallmadge, Ohio/Archbishop Hoban [Akron]) will participate in the two-day workshop April 4-5 during the WBCA Convention in Cleveland in conjunction with the Women’s Final Four.


Love Valpo Weekend Begins Friday as Women's Basketball Faces Indiana State

Winners of back-to-back games, the Valpo women’s basketball team opens up the second half of Valley play at the ARC Friday evening when the Beacons face off against Indiana State for the second time this season. Free pom poms and Love Valpo posters will be available for fans, and the first 500 fans will receive a free Valpo shoe charm.


Valpo Basketball Weekly - Feb. 6

Coming off back-to-back wins, women's basketball head coach Mary Evans joins Valpo Basketball Weekly to talk about what's been working well for her team, look back at Sunday's thrilling win at UIC and look ahead to a pair of home games this weekend at the ARC!


Earnest Buzzer-Beater Lifts Beacons Over UIC

A dramatic fourth quarter full of twists and turns Sunday in Chicago between the Valpo women’s basketball team and UIC was bound to come right down to the wire, and it took all the way until the final buzzer to determine the victor, as Beacon senior Leah Earnest (Stevens Point, Wis./SPASH) got open for a buzzer-beating layup to deliver the 71-70 victory to Valpo.


Women's Basketball Heads to Chicago Sunday to Face UIC

The Valpo women’s basketball team closes out the first half of the Missouri Valley Conference slate on Sunday afternoon, heading up to the Windy City to meet UIC for the first time this season.


Late-Quarter Runs Key Women’s Basketball Win at Evansville

Playing the back half of its Hoosier State road swing Sunday at Evansville, the Valpo women’s basketball team closed the first half on a 13-2 run to take a seven-point lead into the locker room and the Beacons followed with a 14-2 run late in the third quarter to take down the Purple Aces by a 70-59 final.


Beacon Women Face Evansville Sunday

The Valpo women’s basketball team looks to earn a split of the Hoosier State road trip this weekend, as the Beacons close the two-game swing Sunday afternoon at Evansville.


Beacons Suffer Setback at Indiana State Friday

The Valpo women’s basketball team, led by 14 first-half points from senior Leah Earnest (Stevens Point, Wis./SPASH), held a four-point edge over host Indiana State Friday evening in Terre Haute, Ind., but the Beacons were held without a field goal in the third quarter as the Sycamores pulled away to a 70-49 victory.


Women's Basketball Takes on Sycamores Friday

Following a dominating victory over Bradley last time out, the Valpo women’s basketball team returns to the road for the first time in three weekends, starting out the downstate road trip Friday evening at Indiana State.


Valpo Basketball Weekly - Jan. 23

Valpo women's basketball head coach Mary Evans joins Valpo Basketball Weekly to look back at another week of improvement which led to the Beacons' win over Bradley, talks about what's working well for the team offensively and defensively & looks ahead to the in-state road trip this weekend.


Bountiful Second-Quarter Buckets Boost Beacons Over Bradley

The Valpo women’s basketball team entered the second quarter of its game at the ARC Sunday with a two-point lead over Bradley. Ten minutes later, the Beacons headed to the locker room 22 points to the good, as they exploded for seven 3-pointers and 33 points in all in the second quarter, sending them on their way to a 79-55 victory over the Braves — the team’s largest win in MVC play since 2019.


Women's Basketball Closes Homestand Sunday Versus Bradley

The Valpo women’s basketball team closes out its season-long four-game homestand on Sunday afternoon at the ARC when Bradley comes to town. After facing the top three teams in the MVC preseason poll in their first three home games of the Valley slate, the Beacons take on one of the two teams projected to finish below them on Sunday. The world-famous Pacers Power Pack will bring their high-energy halftime dunk show to the ARC. Before the game, all children 12 and under are invited to join a pregame basketball clinic hosted by the Valpo team and staff from 1-2 p.m. The clinic is free with a game ticket and all attendees receive a Valpo t-shirt. There will also be a meet and greet with Valpo female teams before the game, free pom-poms to the first 500 fans and a postgame autograph session.


Jackson Enjoys Great Second Quarter Friday; Valpo Falls to Illinois State

Behind a massive second quarter from freshman Nevaeh Jackson (Fort Wayne, Ind./Northrop), the Valpo women’s basketball team led visiting Illinois State at the half on Friday evening at the ARC, but the Redbirds turned the tables in the third quarter as the Beacons fell by a 77-68 final.


Women's Basketball Continues Homestand Friday Versus Illinois State

The Valpo women’s basketball team opens its second straight weekend of home MVC action on Friday evening as the Beacons welcome Illinois State to the ARC. Valpo’s first three home games of the Valley slate have matched the team against the top three teams in the MVC preseason poll.


Jackson Leads Women’s Basketball Against UNI

Valpo women’s basketball freshman Saniya Jackson (Fort Wayne, Ind./Northrop) continued her strong rookie campaign as she tied for game-high honors with a season-best 16 points on Sunday as the Beacons fell to MVC preseason favorite UNI at the ARC, 76-52.


Women's Basketball Hosts UNI on Carnival Day Sunday

The Valpo women’s basketball team continues a stretch of four consecutive home games on Sunday afternoon, taking on MVC preseason favorite UNI on Carnival Day at the ARC.


Beacons Return Home, Fall to Drake

The Valpo women’s basketball team matched a season high on Friday evening by connecting on 11 3-pointers in its first MVC home game of the season, falling to Drake 83-54.


Women's Basketball Returns Home to Host Drake Friday

The long and winding stretch of road games has finally come to a close for the Valpo women’s basketball team, as the Beacons play their next four games at the ARC, starting on Friday evening as MVC play continues against Drake.


Valpo Basketball Weekly - Jan. 9

Valpo women's basketball head coach Mary Evans joins Valpo Basketball Weekly this week to look at the start of Valley play for the Beacons, the team's performance in the fourth quarter at SIU and the play of Saniya Jackson this season. Heading into Carnival Day Sunday at the ARC, Coach Evans also lets us know what her favorite carnival game is!


Fourth-Quarter Rally Comes Up Short for Beacons

The Valpo women’s basketball team was able to erase the majority of a 21-point fourth-quarter deficit at Southern Illinois Saturday afternoon, limiting the Salukis to just three points in a stretch of seven-plus minutes, but the Beacons were unable to get closer than seven points down the stretch, falling to SIU, 75-66.


Beacons Close Long Road Swing at SIU Saturday

The Valpo women’s basketball team concludes a stretch of five consecutive road games Saturday afternoon when the Beacons take on Southern Illinois. Following Saturday’s contest, Valpo will play four straight games at home in the ARC.


Women’s Basketball Falls at Missouri State Thursday

A slow start to the game doomed the Valpo women’s basketball team on Thursday night, as despite playing the last three quarters against host Missouri State nearly even, the Beacons fell to the Lady Bears by a 67-47 final. Senior Leah Earnest (Stevens Point, Wis./SPASH) surpassed the 500-rebound mark for her career in the fourth quarter, becoming the 19th player in program history to hit that milestone.


Women's Basketball Kicks Off 2024 at Missouri State Thursday

The Valpo women’s basketball team opens the 2024 calendar year with the lengthiest road trip of Missouri Valley Conference play, heading to Springfield, Mo. to face off against Missouri State Thursday evening.


Women’s Basketball Drops Valley Opener at Murray State

The Valpo women’s basketball team opened the 2023-24 Missouri Valley Conference slate Saturday evening in Murray, Ky., dropping a 90-62 decision to host Murray State.


Women's Basketball Opens MVC Play Saturday at Murray State

The Valpo women’s basketball team closes out the 2023 calendar year with its Missouri Valley Conference opener Saturday evening, as the Beacons continue a stretch of five consecutive games away from home with a visit to Murray State.


Women’s Basketball Closes Nonconference with Loss at Stetson

The Valpo women’s basketball team brought its time at the Holiday Hoops Classic in DeLand, Fla. to a close on Wednesday, dropping a 78-62 decision to host Stetson to close out nonconference play.


Women’s Basketball Falls to Bethune-Cookman; Brown Scores 1,000th Collegiate Point

The Valpo women’s basketball team opened the Holiday Hoops Classic in DeLand, Fla. Tuesday afternoon, falling to Bethune-Cookman in a neutral-site matchup, 61-35. A 3-pointer early in the third quarter by Olivia Brown (East Grand Rapids, Mich./East Grand Rapids [St. Bonaventure]) moved her past the 1,000-point milestone for her collegiate career.


Beacons Head to Sunshine State Next Week

Following a break for final exams, the Valpo women’s basketball team faces its final two tests of the nonconference slate in DeLand, Fla. on back-to-back days at the Holiday Hoops Classic. The Beacons open up with a neutral-site contest against Bethune-Cookman Tuesday at noon CT before turning around to face host Stetson at 10 a.m. CT on Wednesday.


Lisa (Winter) Finn Selected for Induction to Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame

Valpo women’s basketball alum Lisa (Winter) Finn will be inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame as a member of the 22nd Women’s Induction Class next April, the Hall of Fame announced Tuesday.


Hot Start Propels Women’s Basketball to Win Over Chicago State

The Valpo women’s basketball team had plenty of early gifts for fans in the attendance at the ARC for Saturday’s Christmas party, as the Beacons started out hitting their first seven shots from the field as they never trailed in an 83-64 victory over Chicago State. Olivia Brown (East Grand Rapids, Mich./East Grand Rapids [St. Bonaventure]) was one point off her career high, finishing with 23 points, while Leah Earnest (Stevens Point, Wis./SPASH) was right behind her with 21 points.


Women’s Basketball to Host Region’s Biggest Christmas Party Dec. 9; Basketball Clinic Dec. 15

The Valpo women’s basketball program invites all of Northwest Indiana to come to the ARC Saturday afternoon, Dec. 9 at 1 p.m. as the Beacons take on Chicago State and enjoy all the festivities as part of the Region’s biggest Christmas party!


Women’s Basketball Picks Up Exhibition Win Over IU Northwest

The Valpo women’s basketball team returned home to the ARC for the first time in nearly three weeks on Thursday evening, taking down IU Northwest in exhibition action, 65-60.


Women's Basketball Returns Home For Games Thursday, Saturday

The Valpo women’s basketball team steps onto its home court at the ARC for the only times in December this week with a pair of contests in a 43-hour span. The Beacons will first host IU Northwest on Thursday evening in an exhibition game before turning around to take on Chicago State on Saturday afternoon.


Valpo Basketball Weekly: Dec. 5

On this week's edition of Valpo Basketball Weekly, women's basketball head coach Mary Evans discusses the challenging schedule to start the season, what she's liked about the team's defense and where she sees room for improvement this week as the Beacons host a pair of games.


Sims Nets Career High; Women’s Basketball Falls at Purdue

Valpo women’s basketball junior Olivia Sims (Toledo, Ohio/Notre Dame Academy [Oakland]) surpassed her career best with a 14-point outing Sunday, tying for team-high honors as the Beacons fell at Purdue by an 83-56 final.


Women's Basketball Closes Road Stretch Sunday at Purdue

The Valpo women’s basketball team wraps up a stretch of four consecutive road games with a Sunday afternoon matinee at Big Ten foe Purdue.


Heartbreak for Women’s Basketball in Overtime Loss at Western Michigan

The Valpo women’s basketball team looked poised to claim its first victory of the season Wednesday evening in Kalamazoo, Mich., but Western Michigan’s Kaiden Glenn banked in a 3-pointer as time expired in regulation to force overtime and the Broncos went on to emerge 75-71 victors.


Women's Basketball Back in Midwest, Plays at Western Michigan Wednesday

The Valpo women’s basketball team continues its long stretch between home games on Wednesday evening when the Beacons make the short trip to Kalamazoo, Mich. to take on Western Michigan.


Earnest Sets Career High; Women’s Basketball Falls at UAB

Valpo women’s basketball senior Leah Earnest (Stevens Point, Wis./SPASH) set a career high in the scoring department with a game-high 26 points, while freshman Saniya Jackson (Fort Wayne, Ind./Beacon) became the second Beacon in the last week with an eight-steal game as Valpo concluded its extended Thanksgiving week trip with a 78-68 setback at UAB Saturday afternoon.


Women's Basketball Faces UAB Saturday

The Valpo women’s basketball team brings an extended Thanksgiving week trip to a close Saturday afternoon when the Beacons take on UAB in Birmingham, Ala.


Women’s Basketball Puts Forth Strong Defensive Effort Tuesday at Southern Miss

The Valpo women’s basketball team put together its best defensive performance of the young season Tuesday night against a Southern Miss team which entered the game averaging better than 85 points per game, but the Beacons were unable to overcome a first-quarter deficit as the Lady Eagles defended their home court, 61-49.


Women's Basketball Kicks Off Long Road Stretch Tuesday at Southern Miss

The road is about to be the Valpo women’s basketball team’s friend, as the Beacons play nine of their next 10 games away from home, starting on Tuesday at Southern Miss.


Raye-Redmond Racks Up the Steals; Beacons Fall to Western Illinois

Valpo women’s basketball freshman Raeven Raye-Redmond (Trotwood, Ohio/Trotwood Madison) made an immediate impact in her collegiate debut Saturday at the ARC, recording one of the most prolific single-game steal totals in program history, but visiting Western Illinois came away with a 76-54 victory.


Women's Basketball at the ARC Saturday for Home Opener

The Valpo women’s basketball team takes to its home court at the ARC for the first time this season Saturday afternoon when the Beacons play host to Western Illinois. It is one of just two nonconference home games for Valpo this season.


Women’s Basketball Drops Season Opener at Eastern Illinois

The Valpo women’s basketball team opened the 2023-24 season on Sunday afternoon in Charleston, Ill., leading host Eastern Illinois by three at the half before the Panthers claimed the lead for good early in the second half and pulled away late, dealing the Beacons a 75-62 defeat.


Women's Basketball Set to Open Season Sunday at Eastern Illinois

The Valpo women’s basketball team kicks off the 2023-24 season on Sunday afternoon on the road, as the Beacons travel to Charleston, Ill. to face off against Eastern Illinois for the second straight season. The road game to open the campaign is a harbinger for the nonconference slate, with seven of Valpo’s nine nonconference contests away from home.


Valpo Basketball Weekly: Nov. 9

On this week's edition of Valpo Basketball Weekly, women's basketball head coach Mary Evans joins us for the first time this season to talk about her team's progression over this summer and fall as they prepare for their season opener Sunday!


MVC Releases 2023-24 Women's Basketball Preseason Poll

The Valpo women's basketball team has been picked to finish in 10th place in the Missouri Valley Conference in 2023-24, according to preseason polling of the Valley's head coaches, sports information directors and media members.


MVC Announces 2023-24 Women’s Basketball Conference Slate

The 2023-24 Valpo women’s basketball schedule is complete, following Tuesday’s unveiling of the Beacons’ 20-game Missouri Valley Conference slate by the conference office.


Valpo Women’s Basketball Announces Nonconference Slate

A pair of 20-win teams from a season ago and an NCAA Tournament participant are among the nine opponents for the Valpo women’s basketball team in its 2023-24 regular season nonconference schedule.


Women’s Basketball Adds Jill Harris to 2023-24 Roster

Valpo women’s basketball head coach Mary Evans announced today the addition of Jill Harris to the program’s 2023-24 roster as a graduate transfer. A talented ballhandler and playmaker, Harris most recently suited up for Johnson C. Smith University and was an SoCon All-Freshman Team selection in 2019-20 while playing at Mercer.