Sat Mar 08 04:30:00 UTC 2025: ## Valparaiso Upsets UIC in MVC Tournament Thriller
**ST. LOUIS, MO** – The 11th-seeded Valparaiso Crusaders pulled off a stunning upset Thursday, defeating the No. 6 seed UIC Flames 67-50 in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. The Beacons’ victory propelled them into the quarterfinals, where they will face the No. 3 seed, Northern Iowa, on Friday.
Leading the charge for Valparaiso was senior guard Max Wright, who poured in 22 points on an efficient 9-of-16 shooting, including 3-of-6 from beyond the arc. Forward Cooper Schwieger delivered a dominant performance with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and an impressive six blocks.
Valparaiso controlled the game from start to finish, taking the lead midway through the first half and never looking back. A strong first-half showing, fueled by Schwieger’s 15 points, saw the Beacons enter halftime with a commanding 37-21 advantage. A decisive 10-0 run in the second half further solidified their victory, extending their lead to as much as 24 points.
While UIC’s Ethan Pickett led the Flames with 11 points and 6 rebounds, and Filip Skobalj contributed 9 points and 2 steals, they were unable to overcome Valparaiso’s offensive firepower and defensive dominance.
The Crusaders’ impressive win marks a significant upset in the tournament and sets the stage for a challenging quarterfinal matchup against Northern Iowa.
First Piper 