Valparaiso's John Kiser (33) knocks the ball away from Loyola of Chicago's Keith Clemons (5) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinal round of the Missouri Valley Conference men's tournament Friday, March 6, 2020, in St. Louis. Valparaiso won 74-73 in overtime. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
The Associated Press
SAINT LOUIS, Mo. (AP) - John Kizer drove the left side of the paint, drawing two defenders and passed to Eron Gordon for the winning layin as Valparaiso stormed from 18 points down to knock No. 2 seed Loyola Chicago out of the quarterfinals of the Missouri Valley Conference 74-73 in overtime Friday night.
Kiser finished with 12 points, eight rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocked shots for the seventh-seeded Crusaders. His late-game performance was invaluable. Kiser stole Loyola Chicago's final possession in regulation, preventing a potential winning shot, and swatted what seemed like a gimme go-ahead bucket late in OT after Loyola Chicago stole the ball mere steps from the hoop.
Valparaiso (18-15), which trailed 45-27 early in the second half, had not beaten Loyola in seven straight meetings and has never before made the semifinal round of the conference tournament.
All nine Loyola Chicago players scored but only Keith Clemons reached double figures with a career-high 28 for the Ramblers (21-11), who were 1-for-10 shooting in overtime.
Ryan Fazekas had 15 points for Valparaiso (18-15). Daniel Sackey added 13 points and six rebounds. Donovan Clay had 10 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and three blocks.
The MVC tournament lost its top two seeds, Northern Iowa and Loyola Chicago on Friday.
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Elements of this story were generated by Automated Insights, http://www.automatedinsights.com/ap, using data from STATS LLC, https://www.stats.com
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Loyola of Chicago's Marquise Kennedy (12) loses control of the ball after colliding with Valparaiso's John Kiser (33) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinal round of the Missouri Valley Conference men's tournament Friday, March 6, 2020, in St. Louis. Valparaiso won 74-73 in overtime. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
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Loyola of Chicago's Lucas Williamson (1) heads to the basket as Valparaiso's Javon Freeman-Liberty (0) defends during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinal round of the Missouri Valley Conference men's tournament Friday, March 6, 2020, in St. Louis. Valparaiso won 74-73 in overtime. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
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Valparaiso's Eron Gordon, left, and Loyola of Chicago's Lucas Williamson (1) reach for a loose ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinal round of the Missouri Valley Conference men's tournament Friday, March 6, 2020, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
The Associated Press
Valparaiso's Donovan Clay, left, and Eron Gordon (10) celebrate as Loyola of Chicago's Keith Clemons, center, reacts following an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinal round of the Missouri Valley Conference men's tournament Friday, March 6, 2020, in St. Louis. Valparaiso won 74-73 in overtime. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
The Associated Press
Loyola of Chicago's Keith Clemons (5) reacts as members of Valparaiso celebrate in the background following an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinal round of the Missouri Valley Conference men's tournament Friday, March 6, 2020, in St. Louis. Valparaiso won 74-73 in overtime. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
The Associated Press
Loyola of Chicago's Keith Clemons reacts as members of Valparaiso celebrate in the background following an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinal round of the Missouri Valley Conference men's tournament Friday, March 6, 2020, in St. Louis. Valparaiso won 74-73 in overtime. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
The Associated Press
Valparaiso's Javon Freeman-Liberty (0) loses control of the ball after colliding with Loyola of Chicago's Lucas Williamson during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinal round of the Missouri Valley Conference men's tournament Friday, March 6, 2020, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
The Associated Press
Valparaiso's Eron Gordon (10) heads to the basket as Loyola of Chicago's Cameron Krutwig (25) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinal round of the Missouri Valley Conference men's tournament Friday, March 6, 2020, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
The Associated Press
CORRECTS TO LOYOLA OF CHICAGO'S KEITH CLEMONS NOT VALPARAISO'S DONOVAN CLAY - Loyola of Chicago's Keith Clemons walks off the court following an NCAA college basketball game against Valparaiso in the quarterfinal round of the Missouri Valley Conference men's tournament Friday, March 6, 2020, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
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