VALPARAISO, Ind. — In an impressive performance on Sunday, Tyler Schmidt came off the bench to score 19 points, guiding Valparaiso to an 81-53 victory over Eastern Illinois.
Schmidt also made his presence felt on defense, contributing three steals for the Beacons, who improved their record to 3-2. Justus McNair added 16 points to the scoreboard, showcasing an effective shooting night, going 5 for 8 and an impressive 4 for 6 from beyond the arc. Additionally, Darius DeAveiro chipped in with nine points but struggled with his shooting, making only 3 of 11 attempts, including 3 for 9 from three-point range.

The Panthers (1-5) were led in scoring by Nakyel Shelton, who netted 20 points in the match. Kooper Jacobi supported the effort with 13 points and gathered nine rebounds, while Zion Fruster contributed six points.

Valparaiso took control of the game with a lead that they established with 5:07 left in the first half and never looked back. They entered halftime with a 35-29 advantage, buoyed by Schmidt’s stellar first-half performance, where he scored 14 points. The Beacons further distanced themselves in the second half, extending their lead to as much as 66-38, driven by an 18-2 scoring spree. McNair led the team’s efforts in the second half, scoring 11 crucial points, helping Valparaiso steadily close out the game.

Looking ahead, both Valparaiso and Eastern Illinois are set to face Northern Illinois in their next games. Valparaiso will host the matchup on Wednesday, while Eastern Illinois will have their turn at home on Friday.