Valparaiso Beacons Edge Indiana State Sycamores in OT
Saturday, January 31, 2026, 1:00 PM ET · Hulman Center
Valparaiso Beacons 76, Indiana State Sycamores 72, 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 Valparaiso Beacons vs Indiana State Sycamores?
Valparaiso Beacons beat Indiana State Sycamores 76-72 at Hulman Center on January 31, 2026.
Who was favored in Valparaiso Beacons vs Indiana State Sycamores?
Indiana State Sycamores were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -142 (about 59% implied). The underdog won.
In a thrilling overtime finish, the Valparaiso Beacons defeated the Indiana State Sycamores 76-72 at the Hulman Center on January 31, 2026. This matchup was particularly notable as it featured two teams with closely matched records, and it ended with a dramatic conclusion that kept fans on the edge of their seats. The Beacons improved their record to 12-11, while the Sycamores fell to 9-15.
Both teams have had their struggles leading up to this game. Indiana State entered the contest with a 2-8 record over their last ten games, currently on a four-game losing streak. Their average points scored per game during this stretch was 73.2, while they allowed an average of 78.7 points. The Sycamores had a mixed home record of 2-2 in their last four games, but they had not won on the road in six attempts. In contrast, Valparaiso had a 4-6 record in their last ten games, with their most recent result being a narrow loss to the Belmont Bruins. They averaged 69.3 points scored and 70.3 points allowed during this stretch, with a home record of 4-2 but struggling on the road with an 0-4 away record.
The two teams had faced each other twice in the previous season, splitting the series with each team winning one game. Indiana State had previously triumphed at home, winning 80-62, while Valparaiso had taken the earlier matchup 98-95 on their home court.
In terms of injuries, the block does not specify any significant player absences that would have impacted the game.
The betting odds provided by DraftKings indicated that Indiana State was favored by 2.5 points, with a total set at 145.5. The home moneyline was listed at -142.0, while Valparaiso's moneyline was at 120.0. The over odds were priced at -112.0, and the under odds at -108.0, reflecting a competitive matchup.
The game conditions were not detailed in the block, but the atmosphere at the Hulman Center was likely electric, given the stakes of the matchup and the close nature of the contest.
As the game unfolded, it was clear that both teams were determined to secure a crucial victory. The scoring plays in the overtime period highlighted the intensity of the competition. Carter Hopoi made crucial free throws to give Valparaiso a slight edge, while Derek Vorst's free throws kept Indiana State in the game. Rakim Chaney's step-back jumper further solidified Valparaiso's lead, ultimately sealing the victory with a series of successful free throws from Owen Dease.
This matchup showcased the resilience and competitive spirit of both teams, with Valparaiso ultimately coming out on top in a tightly contested game.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | INST -2.5 | 145.5 o -112 / u -108 | Valparaiso Beacons +120 · Indiana State Sycamores -142 |
Leaders
- PointsDerek Vorst14Indiana State Sycamores
- AssistsSterling Young5Indiana State Sycamores
- ReboundsEnel St. Bernard6Indiana State Sycamores
- PointsJT Pettigrew17Valparaiso Beacons
- AssistsBrody Whitaker4Valparaiso Beacons
- ReboundsJT Pettigrew9Valparaiso Beacons
Recent form
Indiana State Sycamores
Last 10: 2-8Streak L473.2 scored · 78.7 allowed per game2-2 at home
- L74-76at UIC FlamesJan 28
- L62-76vs Drake BulldogsJan 24
- L68-75at Bradley BravesJan 22
- L81-85at Murray State RacersJan 17
- W94-89vs Illinois State RedbirdsJan 15
- L69-72vs Evansville Purple AcesJan 10
- L72-74at Drake BulldogsJan 4
- L66-75at Northern Iowa PanthersJan 2
- W81-80vs Belmont BruinsDec 30
- L65-85at Illinois State RedbirdsDec 21
Valparaiso Beacons
Last 10: 4-6Streak L169.3 scored · 70.3 allowed per game0-4 away
- L77-78vs Belmont BruinsJan 29
- 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
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 | Valparaiso Beacons | Indiana State Sycamores |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 28-64 | 27-59 |
| Field goal % | 44 | 46 |
| Three-pointers | 3-14 | 6-25 |
| Three-point % | 21 | 24 |
| Free throws | 17-26 | 12-21 |
| Free throw % | 65 | 57 |
| Rebounds | 44 | 33 |
| Offensive rebounds | 16 | 8 |
| Defensive rebounds | 28 | 25 |
| Assists | 10 | 13 |
| Steals | 8 | 3 |
| Blocks | 5 | 5 |
| Turnovers | 9 | 12 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 9 | 8 |
| Fast-break points | 6 | 4 |
| Points in the paint | 38 | 40 |
| Fouls | 18 | 21 |
| Largest lead | 4 | 10 |
| Lead changes | 7 | 7 |
| Time in front | 13 | 72 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half41-44Justus McNair makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half41-46Derek Vorst makes layup (Jo Van Buggenhout assists)
- 2nd Half43-46Carter Hopoi makes layup
- 2nd Half43-48Jo Van Buggenhout makes 18-foot step back jumpshot
- 2nd Half45-48Carter Hopoi makes 4-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half45-49Derek Vorst makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half47-49JT Pettigrew makes 14-foot pullup jump shot (Justus McNair assists)
- 2nd Half49-49Rakim Chaney makes 21-foot jumper
- 2nd Half49-51Jo Van Buggenhout makes layup
- 2nd Half50-51Justus McNair makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half51-51Justus McNair makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half51-53Enel St. Bernard makes 2-foot dunk (Camp Wagner assists)
- 2nd Half52-53Tucker Tornatta makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half52-54Jo Van Buggenhout makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half52-55Jo Van Buggenhout makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half54-55Rakim Chaney makes driving layup
- 2nd Half54-57Derek Vorst makes layup (Xavier Hall assists)
- 2nd Half56-57Owen Dease makes 10-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half56-59Xavier Hall makes driving layup
- 2nd Half58-59JT Pettigrew makes layup (Brody Whitaker assists)
- 2nd Half58-60Ian Scott makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half60-60JT Pettigrew makes layup (Justus McNair assists)
- 2nd Half60-62Camp Wagner makes driving layup
- 2nd Half62-62JT Pettigrew makes layup
- 2nd Half64-62Justus McNair makes driving layup
- 2nd Half64-64Xavier Hall makes driving layup
- 2nd Half66-64Carter Hopoi makes 11-foot hook shot (Brody Whitaker assists)
- 2nd Half66-65Camp Wagner makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half66-66Camp Wagner makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT69-66Carter Hopoi makes 23-foot three point jumper (Owen Dease assists)
- OT69-67Derek Vorst makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT69-70Bruno Alocen makes 25-foot three point jumper (Xavier Hall assists)
- OT70-70Carter Hopoi makes free throw 1 of 2
- OT71-70Carter Hopoi makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT71-71Derek Vorst makes free throw 1 of 2
- OT71-72Derek Vorst makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT73-72Rakim Chaney makes 12-foot step back jumpshot
- OT74-72Carter Hopoi makes free throw 2 of 2
- OT75-72Owen Dease makes free throw 1 of 2
- OT76-72Owen Dease makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Indiana State Sycamores, below favours Valparaiso Beacons.
Venue
- Hulman CenterTerre Haute, IN
- Attendance5137
- OfficialsRick O'Neill, Jerry Scherzinger, Mike O'Neill
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