1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
VAL | 18 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 70 |
MOST | 23 | 17 | 25 | 20 | 85 |
No. 23 Missouri St. women top Valpo for share of MVC title
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Brice Calip and Alexa Willard scored 17 points apiece, leading four other players into double-digit scoring as No. 23 Missouri State blew away from Valparaiso in the second half, winning 85-70 Thursday night.
The win clinched at least a share of the regular-season Missouri Valley Conference championship for the Lady Bears (25-4. 15-2) as well as the outright top seed into next week's conference tournament.
Willard reached 1,500 career points with a 3-pointer early in the second quarter and finished with 1,509. She is the 12th Lady Bear to pass 1,500 career points.
Missouri State needed a buzzer-beating 3-pointer from Elle Ruffridge to lead 40-37 at intermission after Valparaiso fought into three ties in the second quarter. Ruffridge finished with 15 points, making five 3-pointers.
Grace White led the Crusaders (16-12, 8-9) with 18 points, Ella Ellenson added 12 and Caitlin Morrison 10.
After an even first half with each team shooting 14 for 30, Missouri State was 14-for-32 shooting from the field (44%) after halftime while holding the Crusaders to 8 for 24 (33%). The Lady Bears owned a 42-30 edge in rebounding.
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Game Information
- Referees:
- Marcus Clayton
- Zac Brost
- Michelle Kramer
2023-24 Missouri Valley Conference Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
Drake | 19-1 | - | 29-6 |
Belmont | 17-3 | 2 | 26-9 |
Missouri State | 15-5 | 4 | 23-10 |
Northern Iowa | 14-6 | 5 | 16-16 |
Illinois State | 13-7 | 6 | 22-12 |
Murray State | 12-8 | 7 | 20-12 |
UIC | 10-10 | 9 | 18-16 |
Southern Illinois | 6-14 | 13 | 11-20 |
Indiana State | 6-14 | 13 | 11-21 |
Valparaiso | 4-16 | 15 | 5-25 |
Bradley | 2-18 | 17 | 6-26 |
Evansville | 2-18 | 17 | 4-28 |