Arch Madness is underway, and the first round gave some fans memorable wins, but others heartbreaking losses.
Missouri State started the tournament off, dominating Murray State 60-35.
Alston Mason scored 22 points to help lead the Bears to the second round. The Racers couldn’t seem to get anything going, making only 10 percent of their three pointers and going 12-57 from the field.
Belmont came out hot against Valparaiso, scoring 48 points in the first half on their way to an 86-61 win over the Crusaders.
In what has been a rough season for Valparaiso, the 7-25 Crusaders struggled early in the first half against a Bruins team led by Malik Dia and Keishawn Davidson. Dia scored 22 points in the win and Davidson recorded 8 assists on their way to a second-round matchup against Northern Iowa.
Evansville looked to make a statement in the first round, never giving up their lead to Illinois State and upsetting the Redbirds 59-53.
In a highly competitive game, the Purple Aces took the lead early and were able to hold on thanks to 15- and 10-point performances by Ben Humrichous and Yacine Toumi.
UIC closed out this round, taking Southern Illinois to double overtime and winning 84-82, sending the Salukis home empty handed.
After a first half where the Flames held the Salukis to an abysmal 27 points, SIU was able to come back and lead UIC 63-61 with 6 seconds left. The Salukis ran out of gas in double overtime, losing by 2 and ending Xavier Johnson’s historic season. Isaiah Rivera would score the game winning free throw, capping off a 28-point game for the senior guard.
These four teams will face off again today against the top four teams in the Missouri Valley Conference.
Missouri State faces Indiana State at 12:00 p.m.
Belmont goes up against Northern Iowa at 2:30 p.m.
Evansville challenges Drake at 6:00 p.m.
And UIC squares up against Bradley at 8:30 p.m. to close out the second round.
All games will air on ESPN+.
