DES MOINES, Iowa (Interstat) — Valparaiso held off a late charge to defeat Drake 81-76 in a Missouri Valley Conference men’s basketball game Monday night at Knapp Center.

The Beacons, led by JT Pettigrew’s 23 points and Rakim Chaney’s 20, overcame a 40-38 halftime deficit. Drake’s Jalen Quinn scored a game-high 33 points, but the Bulldogs’ comeback fell short. Valparaiso improved to 13-12 overall, while Drake dropped to 12-14. Attendance was 3,078.