- 11th-seeded Valparaiso notches second consecutive MVC Tournament upset
- All Wright scores game-high 29 points with clutch final-minute basket
- Freshman Cooper Schwieger posts 18-point, 10-rebound double-double
- Panthers' Tytan Anderson drops 22 points in losing effort
- Beacons advance to face No. 2 Bradley in semifinals
In a heart-stopping Missouri Valley Conference Tournament showdown, Valparaiso continued its Cinderella run Friday with a 64-63 victory over third-seeded Northern Iowa. The Beacons (15-18), who entered the tournament as the 11th seed, have now defeated two higher-ranked opponents in consecutive days behind sophomore guard All Wright's heroic 29-point performance.
The game's defining moment came with 47 seconds remaining when Wright drove through traffic for a contested layup that ultimately decided the outcome. This marks Valparaiso's first MVC Tournament semifinal appearance since joining the conference in 2017, setting up a Saturday clash with second-seeded Bradley.
Freshman forward Cooper Schwieger emerged as a two-way force, converting 46.7% of his field goal attempts while anchoring the defense with five blocks. His 10 rebounds helped Valparaiso maintain a 38-34 advantage on the glass against the Panthers' physical frontline.
Northern Iowa (20-12) saw its NCAA Tournament hopes diminish despite a 22-point outburst from senior forward Tytan Anderson. The Panthers struggled from beyond the arc, converting just 25% of their three-point attempts compared to Valparaiso's 35% success rate.
Tournament Insights:
- Defensive intensity drives upsets: Valparaiso's 8 steals and 7 blocks marked season highs
- Midwest basketball culture: The MVC has produced 5 NCAA Final Four teams since 1979
- Financial impact: Each tournament win generates ≈$150k in revenue for mid-major programs
This victory echoes Loyola Chicago's 2018 MVC Championship run that propelled them to a Final Four appearance. For Valparaiso, the upset demonstrates how defensive execution (forcing 12 turnovers) and timely scoring can neutralize seeding advantages in conference tournaments.
As Valparaiso prepares for Bradley, analysts note the Braves' 72-66 victory over the Beacons in their February 24 matchup. However, Valparaiso's improved perimeter defense—holding opponents to 31% three-point shooting over their last five games—could prove pivotal in Saturday's rematch.