Valparaiso Stuns Indiana State 63–62 With Late Rally in MVC Tournament Thriller

Photo Credit: David Shoulberg | FARP Media

March basketball has a way of turning comfortable leads into full-blown stress tests. Indiana State learned that lesson the hard way Thursday night.

After controlling much of the game and building a solid first-half cushion, the Sycamores watched it all unravel in the final stretch as Valparaiso stormed back for a dramatic 63–62 victory in the first round of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. The Beacons flipped the script with a late surge, leaning on clutch plays from Rakim Chaney and timely defense when it mattered most.

For Indiana State, it was a brutal way to see a season end. For Valpo, it was the kind of gritty March win that turns underdogs into dangerous tournament spoilers overnight.

Indiana State controlled the First Half

Early on, Indiana State looked like the team dictating the pace.

The Sycamores played confidently on both ends of the floor, building a lead behind efficient offense and steady rebounding. By halftime, Indiana State had pushed ahead 37–28, putting Valparaiso in a double-digit hole and seemingly on track to cruise into the next round.

Camp Wagner helped set the tone offensively for Indiana State, leading the Sycamores with 13 points and keeping the offense balanced during the first-half run.

But March tournaments are notorious for momentum swings — and Valparaiso had one brewing.

Valpo Flipped the Game After Halftime

The Beacons came out of the locker room playing with a completely different energy.

Valparaiso tightened its defense, forced tougher shots, and slowly began chipping away at Indiana State’s lead possession by possession. What had been a comfortable margin started shrinking as the second half turned into a grind.

Rakim Chaney became the catalyst.

Chaney finished with 18 points, leading the Beacons and delivering several key buckets during the comeback. His scoring kept Valpo within striking distance while the defense began slowing Indiana State’s offense.

As the clock wound down, the Sycamores’ once-steady lead had evaporated into a one-possession game.

The final minutes became a tense back-and-forth battle — exactly the kind of chaos conference tournaments are known for.

The Final Moments

When the pressure peaked, Valparaiso made the plays that decided the game.

The Beacons took advantage of late opportunities to edge in front, completing the comeback after trailing by nine points at halftime. Indiana State had chances in the closing moments but couldn’t find the bucket needed to reclaim the lead.

When the final buzzer sounded, Valparaiso had completed the rally, escaping with a 63–62 win that instantly ranks among the more dramatic finishes of the opening round.

Key Performers

Rakim Chaney — Valparaiso
18 points, leading the Beacons’ comeback effort

JT Pettigrew — Valparaiso
14 points and 7 rebounds, providing a strong interior presence

Camp Wagner — Indiana State
13 points to lead the Sycamores

What It Means

For Valparaiso, the win keeps its postseason hopes alive and injects momentum heading deeper into the MVC Tournament. Pulling off a comeback in a win-or-go-home environment can energize a team quickly — especially when it comes against a conference rival.

For Indiana State, the loss will sting.

Leading by nine at halftime and controlling much of the game, the Sycamores were in position to advance before the second-half rally flipped the script.

That’s the cruel reality of March basketball: sometimes one cold stretch is all it takes.