SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Valparaiso achieved a narrow victory over Missouri State, winning 73-72 on Wednesday night, largely thanks to Cooper Schwieger, who scored 22 points.

In a dramatic finish, Missouri State’s Zaxton King was fouled while attempting a three-pointer with less than a second remaining on the clock. Unfortunately for the Bears, King was unable to convert the opportunity effectively, missing two of his three free throw attempts.

Schwieger had a commendable game, shooting 8 of 14 from the field, with 2 of 5 from beyond the arc, and finishing 4 for 4 at the free-throw line. This strong performance helped the Beacons improve their record to 8-6, with a conference standing of 1-2 in the Missouri Valley Conference. Tyler Schmidt was another key contributor for Valparaiso, scoring 14 points with an efficient shooting line of 4 for 9 (including 2 for 5 from three-point range) and also converting 4 out of 4 free throw attempts. All Wright also played a significant role, finishing the game with 14 points on 6 of 8 shooting.

For the Bears, Vincent Brady II led the scoring effort with 19 points, adding three steals to his tallies. His teammates also made valuable contributions, as Michael Osei-Bonsu secured 15 points, nine rebounds, and six assists, while Dez White chipped in with 13 points.

Schwieger’s strong start helped Valparaiso stay competitive, as he scored 11 points during the first half, allowing his team to lead 35-34 at the break. The Beacons executed a crucial 11-2 run in the second half that turned a one-point deficit into a lead of 46-38 with 15:54 left in the game, ultimately guiding them to victory. Schwieger added another 11 points in the second half, cementing his team’s success.

Looking ahead, both teams are scheduled to compete again on Saturday. Valparaiso will host Northern Iowa, while Missouri State is set to travel to face Bradley.