Dease and Valparaiso secure 70-63 OT win over Evansville

Sophomore forward Owen Dease led the Valparaiso Beacons to a gritty 70-63 overtime victory against the Evansville Purple Aces at the Athletics-Recreation Center in Valparaiso, Indiana, on Friday night to secure a crucial Missouri Valley Conference win. Dease spearheaded the offensive effort with 18 total points, delivering four critical points during the extra period to break a late-game deadlock and propel his team past their conference rivals. The matchup was necessitated by the ongoing regular season schedule as both programs look to improve their standing within the highly competitive mid-major circuit. The game remained a tightly contested defensive struggle throughout regulation, with neither side able to pull away convincingly before the buzzer sounded. Dease's performance was bolstered by a balanced supporting cast, though his ability to create shots in high-pressure situations proved to be the difference-maker. His efficiency in the paint and at the free-throw line during the five-minute overtime session allowed Valparaiso to outpace Evansville, who struggled to find consistent scoring rhythm as the clock wound down. This victory provides a significant morale boost for the Beacons, who have been working to establish consistency on their home court. For Evansville, the loss highlights ongoing challenges in closing out tight games on the road, despite showing flashes of defensive resilience during the second half. The result impacts the current conference rankings, moving Valparaiso one step closer to a more favorable seed as the postseason tournament draws nearer, while Evansville must regroup for their upcoming home stand.