Missouri Valley Basketball: Illinois-Chicago, Drake among teams with MTE wins

Missouri Valley Conference teams won three of four multi-team event games on Friday. Two teams play for tournament titles on Sunday.

Illinois Chicago started the Valley day successfully with a convincing win over the Atlantic Ten’s La Salle. The Flames led by eleven points at the half and were never really challenged. 96 to 83 was the final as senior. Filip Skobalj posted a season-high 19 points and buried four three-pointers. 

UIC has reached the 90-point plateau four times in six games. La Salle (4-2) who entered the Boardwalk Battle undefeated has now dropped two straight games. 

Four other Flames reached double figures. Sasa Ciani recorded a double-double, scoring 10 points and grabbing eleven rebounds as the Flames dominated the glass (37-25). Ahmad Henderson II (12), Jordan Mason (18) and Tyem Freeman (13) also reached double figures.

The 4-2 Flames play in the Boardwalk Battle’s fifth place game Saturday at 1 pm. UIC faces East Carolina (5-1) and the game can be seen on BallerTV.

For the second straight day Drake (5-0) defeated a Florida team that entered the game averaging over 90 points per game to under 70. The Bulldogs defeated Florida Atlantic 75-63. 

Guard Mitch Mascari made six, three-point baskets and led Drake with 22 points. The Bulldogs won the rebounding battle (32-23) and handed out 16 assists. Bennett Stirtz scored 17 points and handed out six assists. Tavion Banks came off the bench to score 12 as Drake battled foul trouble. Banks was one of four Bulldogs to reach four fouls. 

Drake plays Vanderbilt for the Charleston Classic title Sunday night at 7:30 pm and the game will be on one of the ESPN channels.

Illinois State struggled to get its offense going in the opening round of the Paradise Jam. The Redbirds dropped a 76-68 decision to McNeese State. Ryan Pedon’s team is missing center Brandon Lieb and guard Boden Skunberg to injuries and utilized just seven players. 

Six of them reached double figures, but the Redbirds fell to 3-2, failing to reach the 70-point mark for just the second time this season. McNeese won the rebounding war (37-29) on the strength of eleven offensive rebounds. 

Sophomore guard Ty Pence led the way with 14 points and six rebounds. Senior guard Dalton Banks finished with ten points, five rebounds and four assists.

Illinois State heads to the losers’ bracket to play UAB at 3:00 pm. That game can be seen on ESPN+.

Like Drake, Valley favorite Bradley will be playing for a championship on Sunday night. The Braves edged Wright State 77-74 Friday in the Myrtle Beach Invitational semifinals. Bradley (5-1) received key contributions from several players. 

While Zek Montgomery led the way with 19 points, Darius Hannah added 11 points, seven rebounds and five steals. Brian Wardle’s team connected on .429 of their three point attempts and recorded 17 assists. Almar Atlason (12), Ahmet Jonovic (11) and Duke Deen (10) all scored in double figures.

Wright State’s Brandon Noel scored 27 points in Thursday’s quarterfinal win and 26 in Friday’s semifinal loss. 

Bradley faces Middle Tennessee for the Myrtle Beach title at 5:30 pm Sunday on ESPN.