VALPARAISO, Ind. (Interstat) — Eoin Dillon scored 23 points to lead Belmont to a narrow 78-77 victory over Valparaiso in a Missouri Valley Conference men’s basketball game Wednesday night at Athletics-Recreation Center.

The Bruins, who led 42-38 at halftime, held off a late charge from the Beacons. Valparaiso’s Rakim Chaney hit a 3-pointer at the final buzzer to create the one-point margin. Dillon’s efficient scoring, including five 3-pointers, paced a Belmont offense that shot 54% from the field. Owen Dease and Chaney each scored 15 points for Valparaiso.

Belmont improved to 19-3 overall. Valparaiso fell to 10-11. An announced crowd of 1,713 attended.