Following this weekend’s pattern of upsets, Valparaiso University clinched its spot in the Missouri Valley Conference men’s basketball tournament championship game, beating Missouri State University 89-82 Saturday night. The Crusaders are the first No. 7 seed to ever make it to the finals.
The teams were back and forth throughout the first half, but Missouri State’s last lead of the game came with 3:01 left before halftime — the Crusaders held a narrow 40-38 lead at the break. The Bears managed to tie the score early in the second half, but they were never able to surpass Valparaiso.