Valparaiso Beacons at Missouri State Lady Bears
· NCAA Women's Basketball
70 - 85
No. 23 Missouri St. women top Valpo for share of MVC title
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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How can I watch Beacons vs. Lady Bears?
- TV Channel: Beacons vs Lady Bears 2021 College Basketball, week 18, is broadcasted on ESPN+.
- Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.
Recent Plays
| 4th 0:33 |  |
Trinity Knapp Defensive Rebound. | 70 - 85 |
| 4th 0:33 |  |
Cara VanKempen missed Three Point Jumper. | 70 - 85 |
| 4th 0:42 | |
Zoe MacKay Zacker Defensive Rebound. | 70 - 85 |
| 4th 0:42 | |
Shameka Ealy missed Three Point Jumper. | 70 - 85 |
| 4th 0:56 | |
Grace White made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Maya Meredith. | 70 - 85 |
Statistics
 VAL |
MOST |
|
|---|---|---|
| 22-54 | FG | 28-62 |
| 41 | Field Goal % | 45 |
| 9-22 | 3PT | 11-24 |
| 41 | Three Point % | 46 |
| 17-21 | FT | 18-27 |
| 81 | Free Throw % | 67 |
| 30 | Rebounds | 42 |
| 8 | Offensive Rebounds | 17 |
| 22 | Defensive Rebounds | 25 |
| 11 | Assists | 14 |
| 5 | Steals | 6 |
| 1 | Blocks | 7 |
| 11 | Turnovers | 11 |
| 0 | Team Turnovers | 0 |
| 11 | Total Turnovers | 11 |
| 0 | Technical Fouls | 0 |
| 0 | Total Technical Fouls | 0 |
| 14 | Points Off Turnovers | 16 |
| 0 | Fast Break Points | 4 |
| 26 | Points in Paint | 32 |
| 21 | Fouls | 18 |
| 0 | Largest Lead | 18 |
Game Information
Location: Springfield, MO
Attendance: 2,861 | Capacity:
2025-26 Missouri Valley Conference Standings
| TEAM | CONF | GB | OVER |
|---|---|---|---|
| Murray State | 19-1 | - | 31-4 |
| Belmont | 16-4 | 3 | 20-12 |
| Illinois State | 13-7 | 6 | 24-14 |
| Bradley | 13-7 | 6 | 20-13 |
| Northern Iowa | 13-7 | 6 | 18-14 |
| Drake | 10-10 | 9 | 12-20 |
| UIC | 9-11 | 10 | 14-18 |
| Southern Illinois | 7-13 | 12 | 10-20 |
| Indiana State | 5-15 | 14 | 10-22 |
| Evansville | 5-15 | 14 | 10-25 |
| Valparaiso | 0-20 | 19 | 0-32 |
2025-26 Conference USA Standings
| TEAM | CONF | GB | OVER |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Tech | 17-1 | - | 26-7 |
| Florida International | 12-6 | 5 | 21-12 |
| Missouri State | 11-7 | 6 | 23-13 |
| Liberty | 11-7 | 6 | 18-13 |
| Sam Houston | 11-7 | 6 | 18-13 |
| Middle Tennessee | 11-7 | 6 | 17-16 |
| Jacksonville State | 9-9 | 8 | 16-16 |
| Kennesaw State | 6-12 | 11 | 13-17 |
| Delaware | 6-12 | 11 | 13-19 |
| UTEP | 5-13 | 12 | 13-17 |
| New Mexico State | 5-13 | 12 | 9-21 |
| Western Kentucky | 4-14 | 13 | 8-21 |