Illinois State Looks to Bounce Back Versus Valparaiso
Written by Adam Tichler on February 12, 2026
Image Courtesy of Redbird_MBB on X
NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State returns to CEFCU Arena Thursday night against the Valparaiso Beacons at 6 p.m.
The two teams met back on January 7th in Valparaiso, where the Beacons won 77 to 71.
ISU comes into the matchup at 16-9 with a Missouri Valley Conference record of 8-6. The Redbirds feel comfortable at home with a 10-2 record on Doug Collins Court. Valpo comes into Normal with a 13-12 record and is 7-7 in MVC play.
In the last matchup, Chase Walker led the way for ISU with 20 points in the loss. Johnny Kinziger and Ty’Reek Coleman were also double-digit scorers in the last matchup. Kinziger with 17 and Coleman with 13. Walker leads ISU with 14 points a game.
For the Beacons in the first game against ISU, Owen Dease led the game scoring-wise with 28 points. JT Pettigrew also scored over 20 in the game with 21. Dease leads the team, averaging 14 points a game.
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