Shabtai Sets Career Marks; Women’s Basketball Drops MVC Opener to UIC
The 2025-26 Missouri Valley Conference slate got underway for the Valpo women’s basketball team Sunday afternoon at the ARC with a one-off game against UIC. Mor Shabtai (Tel Aviv, Israel/Tichonet) smashed her career highs in both scoring and rebounding, but the Beacons fell 61-44 to the visiting Flames.
How It Happened
– Valpo got off to a flying start to the game, scoring just seconds off the opening tip as Fiona Connolly (South Burlington, Vt./Brewster Academy [La Salle]) gained possession and immediately drove to the rim.
– It was the Beacons’ defense which carried the day early on, holding UIC to 1-of-7 shooting and forcing two turnovers over the opening four-plus minutes as Valpo led 6-2.
– Valpo went five minutes between baskets as UIC closed the opening period on a 12-2 run to lead 14-8 after the first 10 minutes.
– After a Connolly free throw with 7:10 to play in the second quarter, the Beacons were within 18-13. But UIC scored nine in a row over the next seven minutes to push its lead into double figures.
– Connolly closed the half like she started it, scoring on a putback inside the final 10 seconds and then, after a pair of UIC free throws, banking in a 3-pointer from 25 feet out at the buzzer to bring Valpo within 29-19 at halftime.
– Shabtai connected on a 3-pointer and Mikayla Huffine (Rockford, Ill./Rockford Lutheran [Quincy/Iowa Western C.C>]) finished a drive on back-to-back possessions midway through the third quarter, forcing a UIC timeout with 5:19 to play in the period and its lead down to 35-26.
– The Beacons’ defense limited the Flames to just two free throws the rest of the quarter, but the offense was unable to take advantage, going scoreless over that same stretch as UIC led 37-26 with 10 minutes remaining.
– UIC went on a 14-3 run over the first half of the fourth quarter to pull away.
Inside the Game
– Shabtai set career bests across the board Sunday, smashing her previous highs of 11 points and four rebounds with team highs of 16 points and nine rebounds. She went 6-of-9 from the field, including 3-of-4 from 3-point range, as she set new bests for field goals and 3-pointers made as well.
– The sophomore also drew nine fouls while not committing a foul or a turnover in her 29 minutes of action.
– Connolly reached double figures for the sixth time in nine games this season, but her 10 points came on 3-of-12 shooting.
– Milana Nenadic (Kitchener, Ontario/Cameron Heights [Idaho State/Maine]) narrowly missed out on reaching double figures, finishing with nine points.
– Kennedy Sproule (Niverville, Manitoba/Churchill [Bay College]) posted a season-high five rebounds, while Allia von Schlegell (Downers Grove, Ill./Nazareth Academy) matched her season best with five boards as well.
– The Beacons shot just 29.8% from the floor Sunday and were just 5-for-21 from 3-point range and 5-for-13 from the foul line. On the flip side, Valpo’s defense held UIC to 38.1% shooting, including just 3-for-18 from 3-point range.
Next Up
Valpo (0-9) returns to nonconference action as it remains at home Friday night at 6 p.m. at the ARC against SIUE. It will be a Christmas party at the ARC, with Santa and Mrs. Claus in attendance.