Indiana State holds off Valparaiso in MVC opener

Dec 29, 2017, 03:08 am

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. -- Jordan Barnes buried 4 of 5 from 3-point range and scored 18 with five rebounds, three assists and two steals to propel Indiana State to a 73-64 victory over Valparaiso on Thursday night in a Missouri Valley Conference opener for both teams.

Brenton Scott tossed in 15 points and Qiydar Davis chipped in with 11 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals for the Sycamores (6-7), who trailed 30-27 at halftime.

Bakari Evelyn had 19 points on 5-of-6 shooting from long range, but the rest of the Crusaders (9-5) made just 3 of 19 attempts from beyond the arc. Tevonn Walker added 19 points and five boards, but he hit just 2 of 10 3-pointers. Max Joseph came off the bench to score 13 and grab seven rebounds. Valpo joined the MVC this season.

The game was tied at 50 with a little over eight minutes to play, but Barnes hit two 3s in a 10-2 run and Indiana State led 60-53. Scott hit a 3 to push the lead to 10 and Valparaiso never got closer than six points down the stretch.