In a thrilling matchup on Wednesday night, Valparaiso emerged victorious against Missouri State with a final score of 66-64, thanks to a clutch layup from freshman standout All Wright with just two seconds remaining. Wright had an impressive performance, contributing 24 points to the Beacons’ win.

The young player displayed skillful shooting, making 6 out of 15 attempts from the field and hitting three of his six three-point attempts. Additionally, he excelled at the free-throw line, sinking 9 out of 10 attempts. Other notable contributors for Valparaiso (12-16, 5-12 in the Missouri Valley Conference) included Cooper Schwieger, who added 16 points and showcased his versatility with seven rebounds and five blocks, shooting 5 for 9 from the field and 6 for 9 from the line. Jefferson Monegro also made a significant impact, scoring 16 points on 5 for 9 shooting and hitting 6 out of 7 free throws.

On the other side of the court, Vincent Brady II led the Bears (9-19, 2-15) with 17 points and six rebounds. Teammate Michael Osei-Bonsu contributed 12 points along with nine rebounds and four assists, while Jalen Hampton also scored 12 points and secured eight rebounds, adding to the team’s efforts.

In the first half, Schwieger was a key player for Valparaiso, scoring nine points, though the team went into halftime trailing 30-26. The momentum shifted in the second half as Wright exploded for 22 points, making a crucial difference in the outcome of the game.

Both teams are set to continue their seasons on Saturday, with Valparaiso traveling to face Southern Illinois and Missouri State hosting Illinois State at their home venue.