NCAAB · Final

Murray State Edges Valparaiso in Close Contest

Sunday, December 21, 2025, 2:00 PM ET · Athletics-Recreation Center

Murray State Racers 85, Valparaiso Beacons 79, 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 Murray State Racers vs Valparaiso Beacons?

Murray State Racers beat Valparaiso Beacons 85-79 at Athletics-Recreation Center on December 21, 2025.

Who was favored in Murray State Racers vs Valparaiso Beacons?

Murray State Racers were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -250 (about 71% implied). The favorite won.

In a thrilling matchup, the Murray State Racers defeated the Valparaiso Beacons 85-79 at the Athletics-Recreation Center on December 21, 2025. This game showcased the Racers' strong form, extending their winning streak to five games, while Valparaiso continued to struggle, marking their third consecutive loss. Murray State entered the game with an impressive away record of 10-3, while Valparaiso held a home record of 6-6.

Murray State's recent performance has been notable, with the team averaging 88.3 points per game over their last ten contests, while allowing 79.9 points. Their last five games have seen them score an average of 91.4 points, demonstrating their offensive prowess. In contrast, Valparaiso averaged 73.5 points in their last ten games, with a defensive average of 70.6 points allowed. Their recent form has been less consistent, with a record of 5-5 over the same stretch.

The game was closely contested throughout, with Murray State maintaining a slight edge. Key moments included a series of free throws by Javon Jackson in the second half, contributing significantly to the Racers' scoring. The final scoring plays highlighted Jackson's impact, as he made several crucial free throws that helped seal the victory for Murray State.

Historically, this fixture has favored Murray State, as they have now won all three meetings against Valparaiso this season, with previous games resulting in scores of 74-56 and 58-47. This continued dominance adds to the narrative of the rivalry between the two teams.

In terms of injuries, the block does not provide specific details, but both teams faced the usual challenges of maintaining player fitness during the season. The conditions for the game were standard for indoor basketball, with no adverse weather factors affecting play.

The betting market, as reported by DraftKings, had Murray State favored by 5.5 points, with a total set at 155.5. The odds reflected confidence in Murray State's ability to secure a win on the road, given their recent form and scoring capability.

Fans watching the game were treated to a display of offensive skill, particularly from Murray State, who capitalized on their scoring opportunities. The matchup served as a reminder of the competitive nature of college basketball, where each game can shift the momentum for teams as they head deeper into the season.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	MUR -5.5	155.5 o -108 / u -112	Murray State Racers -250 · Valparaiso Beacons +205

What these prices pay on $100 · What these numbers mean

Leaders

PointsOwen Dease25Valparaiso Beacons
AssistsRakim Chaney6Valparaiso Beacons
ReboundsRakim Chaney5Valparaiso Beacons
PointsRoman Domon20Murray State Racers
AssistsJavon Jackson3Murray State Racers
ReboundsJJ Traynor6Murray State Racers

Recent form

Valparaiso Beacons

Last 10: 5-5Streak L273.5 scored · 70.6 allowed per game4-2 at home

L70-86at Northwestern WildcatsDec 17
L70-73vs UNC Wilmington SeahawksDec 13
W98-58vs Calumet St. Joseph Crimson WaveDec 6
L72-75at Marquette Golden EaglesDec 3
W84-55vs Western Michigan BroncosNov 29
L56-64vs Southern Indiana Screaming EaglesNov 26
W90-75at Cleveland State VikingsNov 20
W68-50vs Bryant BulldogsNov 16
W68-63vs Nicholls ColonelsNov 13
L59-107at Kentucky WildcatsNov 8

Murray State Racers

Last 10: 7-3Streak W588.3 scored · 79.9 allowed per game2-3 away

W81-72vs Drake BulldogsDec 19
W115-100at Akron ZipsDec 13
W81-68vs Bellarmine KnightsDec 6
W84-52vs Morehead State EaglesDec 3
W96-95at George Washington RevolutionariesNov 26
L60-73at McNeese CowboysNov 25
L87-90at Middle Tennessee Blue RaidersNov 24
W89-68vs Little Rock TrojansNov 19
W99-79vs Nicholls ColonelsNov 15
L91-102at SMU MustangsNov 12

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	Murray State Racers	Valparaiso Beacons
Field goals	28-57	31-65
Field goal %	49	48
Three-pointers	6-18	7-18
Three-point %	33	39
Free throws	23-28	10-15
Free throw %	82	67
Rebounds	36	34
Offensive rebounds	10	11
Defensive rebounds	26	23
Assists	12	14
Steals	5	4
Blocks	4	2
Turnovers	11	11
Team turnovers	0	0
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	11	8
Fast-break points	8	8
Points in the paint	38	34
Fouls	17	24
Largest lead	8	8
Lead changes	5	5
Time in front	27	62

How the scoring went

2nd Half47-55Owen Dease makes 23-foot three point jumper (Rakim Chaney assists)
2nd Half50-55JJ Traynor makes 25-foot three point jumper (Fred King assists)
2nd Half50-57Owen Dease makes layup
2nd Half52-57Fred King makes layup (Brayden Shorter assists)
2nd Half52-59Rakim Chaney makes 14-foot jumper
2nd Half54-59Fred King makes layup (Mathis Courbon assists)
2nd Half55-59Fred King makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half57-59Fred King makes layup
2nd Half57-62Tucker Tornatta makes 27-foot three point jumper (Owen Dease assists)
2nd Half58-62Javon Jackson makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half59-62Javon Jackson makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half60-62Roman Domon makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half61-62Brayden Shorter makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half62-62Brayden Shorter makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half64-62Roman Domon makes 4-foot dunk
2nd Half64-64Shon Tupuola makes layup (Rakim Chaney assists)
2nd Half65-64Roman Domon makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half66-64Roman Domon makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half66-65Owen Dease makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half66-66Owen Dease makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half69-66Roman Domon makes 24-foot three point jumper (KJ Tenner assists)
2nd Half69-67Justus McNair makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half71-67Fred King makes layup
2nd Half71-69Justus McNair makes 7-foot floating jump shot
2nd Half72-69Roman Domon makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half72-71Shon Tupuola makes layup (Owen Dease assists)
2nd Half72-72Shon Tupuola makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half72-73Shon Tupuola makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half73-73Roman Domon makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half75-73Brayden Shorter makes layup
2nd Half77-73Layne Taylor makes 7-foot jumper
2nd Half77-76Rakim Chaney makes 24-foot three point jumper (Brody Whitaker assists)
2nd Half79-76Layne Taylor makes 0-foot tip in layup
2nd Half81-76Javon Jackson makes 9-foot jumper
2nd Half81-77Shon Tupuola makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half82-77Javon Jackson makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half83-77Javon Jackson makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half84-77Javon Jackson makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half85-77Javon Jackson makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half85-79Rakim Chaney makes layup