Belmont Bruins Edge Valparaiso Beacons in Close Contest
Wednesday, January 28, 2026, 8:00 PM ET · Athletics-Recreation Center
Belmont Bruins 78, Valparaiso Beacons 77, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Belmont Bruins vs Valparaiso Beacons?
Belmont Bruins beat Valparaiso Beacons 78-77 at Athletics-Recreation Center on January 28, 2026.
Who was favored in Belmont Bruins vs Valparaiso Beacons?
Belmont Bruins were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -225 (about 69% implied). The favorite won.
In a thrilling matchup at the Athletics-Recreation Center, the Belmont Bruins narrowly defeated the Valparaiso Beacons with a final score of 78-77. This contest was particularly notable as it marked the third meeting between these two teams this season, with Belmont now holding a 2-1 advantage in their head-to-head record. The Bruins had previously triumphed over the Beacons earlier in January with a score of 78-74, while Valparaiso had bested Belmont in February 2025 with a decisive 101-86 victory.
The Bruins entered this game with a strong record of 19-3, showcasing their dominance with an impressive recent form of 8-2 over their last ten games. They are currently on a five-game winning streak, averaging 78.9 points scored per game while allowing 71.5 points. Their away record stood at 5-1, indicating a solid performance on the road. In contrast, the Beacons had a home record of 10-11 and were 4-6 in their last ten games, recently winning two consecutive matches against Southern Illinois and Northern Iowa. Valparaiso's scoring average during this stretch was 68.6 points, with an average of 71.1 points allowed.
The Bruins' recent success can be attributed to their effective scoring, as they managed to maintain a high offensive output throughout their last several games. In their previous outing, they defeated the Illinois State Redbirds 80-69, further demonstrating their scoring capabilities. The Beacons, on the other hand, had shown resilience in their last two games, including a 69-63 win over Southern Illinois, but faced challenges against tougher opponents earlier in the month.
In terms of injuries, the block did not specify any key players missing for either team, suggesting both squads were at full strength for this crucial matchup. The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, favored Belmont with a spread of 5.5 points, indicating expectations of a competitive game. The total points line was set at 145.5, reflecting the anticipated scoring potential of both teams.
Conditions for the game were typical for indoor basketball, with no adverse weather factors affecting play. Fans were treated to a closely contested affair, with the lead changing hands multiple times in the second half. Key moments included critical free throws from Isaiah West and Eoin Dillon, who helped extend Belmont's lead late in the game. Valparaiso fought back valiantly, with Rakim Chaney hitting a long three-pointer to bring the score to 78-77, but they could not secure the win in the closing moments.
Overall, this matchup highlighted the competitive spirit of both teams, with Belmont continuing to assert their dominance in the league while Valparaiso showed resilience and fight despite the narrow loss. The Bruins will look to build on this victory, while the Beacons will aim to regroup and improve as the season progresses.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | BEL -5.5 | 145.5 o -105 / u -115 | Belmont Bruins -225 · Valparaiso Beacons +185 |
Leaders
- PointsOwen Dease15Valparaiso Beacons
- AssistsRakim Chaney3Valparaiso Beacons
- ReboundsJT Pettigrew6Valparaiso Beacons
- PointsEoin Dillon23Belmont Bruins
- AssistsDrew Scharnowski8Belmont Bruins
- ReboundsJabez Jenkins5Belmont Bruins
Recent form
Valparaiso Beacons
Last 10: 4-6Streak W268.6 scored · 71.1 allowed per game4-1 at home
- W69-63vs Southern Illinois SalukisJan 22
- W54-44vs Northern Iowa PanthersJan 17
- L74-78at Belmont BruinsJan 14
- L79-92at Murray State RacersJan 10
- W77-71vs Illinois State RedbirdsJan 8
- W66-59vs UIC FlamesJan 4
- L70-75at Southern Illinois SalukisJan 1
- L48-58at Northern Iowa PanthersDec 30
- L79-85vs Murray State RacersDec 21
- L70-86at Northwestern WildcatsDec 17
Belmont Bruins
Last 10: 8-2Streak W578.9 scored · 71.5 allowed per game5-1 away
- W80-69vs Illinois State RedbirdsJan 24
- W73-68at Southern Illinois SalukisJan 18
- W78-74vs Valparaiso BeaconsJan 14
- W78-76at Drake BulldogsJan 10
- W78-65at Northern Iowa PanthersJan 8
- L67-68vs Southern Illinois SalukisJan 4
- W88-78vs Bradley BravesJan 2
- L80-81at Indiana State SycamoresDec 30
- W84-58at UC Irvine AnteatersDec 20
- W83-78at Evansville Purple AcesDec 17
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belmont | 26-6 | - | 16-4 |
| Bradley | 21-13 | 3 | 13-7 |
| Illinois State | 23-13 | 4 | 12-8 |
| Murray State | 20-13 | 4 | 12-8 |
| UIC | 19-16 | 4 | 12-8 |
| Northern Iowa | 23-13 | 5 | 11-9 |
| Valparaiso | 18-15 | 5 | 11-9 |
| Southern Illinois | 16-16 | 6 | 10-10 |
| Drake | 14-20 | 10 | 6-14 |
| Indiana State | 11-21 | 12 | 4-16 |
| Evansville | 7-25 | 13 | 3-17 |
Box score
| Stat | Belmont Bruins | Valparaiso Beacons |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 27-50 | 26-61 |
| Field goal % | 54 | 43 |
| Three-pointers | 11-24 | 9-27 |
| Three-point % | 46 | 33 |
| Free throws | 13-20 | 16-21 |
| Free throw % | 65 | 76 |
| Rebounds | 32 | 30 |
| Offensive rebounds | 7 | 11 |
| Defensive rebounds | 25 | 19 |
| Assists | 18 | 11 |
| Steals | 3 | 8 |
| Blocks | 2 | 2 |
| Turnovers | 15 | 9 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 15 | 17 |
| Fast-break points | 5 | 7 |
| Points in the paint | 28 | 30 |
| Fouls | 22 | 20 |
| Largest lead | 10 | 5 |
| Lead changes | 7 | 7 |
| Time in front | 60 | 31 |
How the scoring went
- 1st Half42-38Jabez Jenkins makes 17-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half42-40JT Pettigrew makes 8-foot jumper
- 2nd Half44-40Drew Scharnowski makes 2-foot dunk (Tyler Lundblade assists)
- 2nd Half44-42Owen Dease makes driving layup
- 2nd Half47-42Eoin Dillon makes 25-foot three point jumper (Isaiah West assists)
- 2nd Half47-44Shon Tupuola makes 3-foot alley oop dunk (Brody Whitaker assists)
- 2nd Half47-47Rakim Chaney makes 27-foot three point step back jumpshot
- 2nd Half50-47Tyler Lundblade makes 26-foot three point jumper (Drew Scharnowski assists)
- 2nd Half50-50Owen Dease makes 24-foot three point jumper (JT Pettigrew assists)
- 2nd Half50-52Brody Whitaker makes 4-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half50-54JT Pettigrew makes 12-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half51-54Jabez Jenkins makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half53-54Brigham Rogers makes layup (Drew Scharnowski assists)
- 2nd Half55-54Jack Smiley makes layup (Drew Scharnowski assists)
- 2nd Half57-54Brigham Rogers makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half57-56Shon Tupuola makes 6-foot hook shot (JT Pettigrew assists)
- 2nd Half60-56Tyler Lundblade makes 25-foot three point jumper (Brigham Rogers assists)
- 2nd Half60-57Shon Tupuola makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half60-58Shon Tupuola makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half60-60Tucker Tornatta makes driving layup
- 2nd Half60-61Tucker Tornatta makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half60-64Rakim Chaney makes 23-foot three point jumper (Tucker Tornatta assists)
- 2nd Half62-64Brigham Rogers makes layup (Isaiah West assists)
- 2nd Half62-65Shon Tupuola makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half62-66Shon Tupuola makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half64-66Eoin Dillon makes layup (Drew Scharnowski assists)
- 2nd Half64-68Owen Dease makes 14-foot jumper (Justus McNair assists)
- 2nd Half66-68Drew Scharnowski makes layup
- 2nd Half69-68Jabez Jenkins makes 24-foot three point jumper (Eoin Dillon assists)
- 2nd Half69-69Rakim Chaney makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half72-69Eoin Dillon makes 25-foot three point jumper (Drew Scharnowski assists)
- 2nd Half72-71Shon Tupuola makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half73-71Isaiah West makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half74-71Isaiah West makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half75-71Eoin Dillon makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half76-71Eoin Dillon makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half76-74Rakim Chaney makes 27-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half77-74Eoin Dillon makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half78-74Eoin Dillon makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half78-77Rakim Chaney makes 29-foot three point jumper
Win probability
Above the line favours Valparaiso Beacons, below favours Belmont Bruins.
Venue
- Athletics-Recreation CenterValparaiso, IN
- Attendance1713
- OfficialsMarques Pettigrew, Gary Maxwell, Ervin Wilson
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