In a thrilling, marathon battle that stretched into double overtime, the second-seeded Bradley Braves outlasted the seventh-seeded Valparaiso Beacons 90-84 to advance to the MVC Tournament semifinals for the fourth straight year.
The game marked the 21st overtime contest in MVC Tournament history and the first since 2024. It extended the strong recent trend for No. 2 seeds, who have now advanced to the semis in six consecutive years and improved to 90-31 all-time in the event. Bradley improved to 21-11 overall, moved to 4-1 in overtime games this season, and stayed perfect (3-0) against Valparaiso in MVC Tournament play.
The Braves dominated the paint with 48 points inside while forcing a season-high-tying 19 turnovers from the Beacons. Despite making only four 3-pointers (one shy of their season low), Bradley’s interior play and late-game free-throw execution proved decisive.
Senior center Ahmet Jonovic set the tone early with Bradley’s first two buckets and finished with 18 points (his second game leading the team in scoring this season), plus a career-high-tying four assists. Sophomore guard Jaquan Johnson matched him with 18 points (despite a 5-for-19 shooting night) and added seven rebounds, one off his career best. Freshman guard Montana Wheeler provided a spark off the bench with 15 points (his 10th double-digit outing), while graduate guard Alex Huibregtse erupted for 15 points after a quiet first half, including a career-high four steals. Senior forward AJ Smith contributed 12 points and a team-high nine rebounds.
Valparaiso (18-15) fought valiantly, dropping to 8-9 all-time in the MVC Tournament and 2-2 in overtime games this year (their first double-OT outing). Freshman forward JT Pettigrew nearly notched a triple-double with career highs of 24 points, 13 rebounds, and nine assists—his sixth double-double of the season and fourth in MVC play—while converting a season-best 11 free throws. Graduate guard Brody Whitaker led the Beacons with a season-high 25 points, including a career-tying five 3-pointers, and added five rebounds. Sophomore guard Justus McNair chipped in 12 points with three triples, but freshman guard Rakim Chaney was held to just two points on 1-for-7 shooting after a strong prior tournament game.
The first half ended in a 31-31 tie after four lead changes and four ties, with neither team leading by more than four. Bradley closed strong, making five of their last six shots, though both squads struggled from deep (combined 4-for-16 on 3s).
The second half featured five ties and two lead changes. Wheeler’s free throws gave Bradley its largest lead at 51-46 with 8:28 remaining. Valparaiso responded with a 6-0 run, including quick 3s from Whitaker and McNair, to tie it late. Johnson’s potential game-winner in the paint rimmed out, sending it to overtime.
In the first OT, Huibregtse scored five points in the final 73 seconds, including a clutch 3-pointer with 25 seconds left to tie it at 73-73. Valparaiso had two late chances but missed a layup by Whitaker and a follow-up before the buzzer. Pettigrew scored all five of his OT points at the line.
The second overtime saw Bradley seize control with an 8-1 run, highlighted by buckets from Jonovic and Smith, to lead 83-76 with 1:07 left. Whitaker’s free throws pulled Valpo within 85-80 at 46.5 seconds, but the Braves sealed it by going 6-for-6 from the line down the stretch. Valparaiso shot just 3-for-10 in the final OT period.
The Braves now look ahead to the semifinals, continuing their strong postseason push in a game that showcased grit, late heroics, and resilient play from both sides.
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