When your team is having a tough time hitting field goals, the players need to step up and make positive things happen in other ways.
When you are missing injured teammates, everyone has to play different roles, play more minutes, play with more focus.
Such were the variables faced by shorthanded Missouri State on Sunday afternoon.
In short, it took a village to stop Valparaiso 74-63 at JQH Arena.
A stifling defense and an aggressive offense overcame a MSU shooting performance that was so-so at best.
But, missed shots became offensive rebounds. Forceful drives became free-throw opportunities: Valpo was whistled for 33 fouls and MSU converted 34-of-41 free throws.