VALPARAISO, Ind. -- The Sycamores dug deep and ran the high scoring of sophomore Tyreke Key plus the timely overtime shooting of De'Avion Washington to pull out a thrilling 87-82 overtime victory over Valparaiso on Wednesday night. It was Country Music Night at Valpo.

The Crusaders improved to 13-12, 5-8 MVC while Valpo fell to 13-13, 6-7 MVC. It was the Sycamores' first win at Valparaiso since March of 1977 -- snapping a skid of four in a row lost at the new MVC member.

Tyreke Key led the way with a career-high 32 points as he hit 8-of-16 from the field, including one 3-pointer and was 15-of-17 from the free throw line. That's the most a Sycamore has hit at the line in a game since Emondre Rickman tallied 16 in December of 2017. He also added a career-best six steals on the defensive end.

Bronson Kessinger scored 10 first half points and finished with 12 as he battled Derrik Smits a former AAU teammate who finished with 23. Cooper Neese made it three games in a row in double figures as he tallied 13 points. Christian Williams tallied nine points and added nine rebounds in the win.

The Sycamores continued a trend of winning close games as they have now won seven in a row dating back to last season by five points or less. ISU has also now won two consecutive overtime games -- both on the road and both in MVC play as the Sycamores also downed Evansville on the road in extra time earlier this year.

Overall the Sycamores were 25-of-28 from the free throw line (89.3 percent) and were 27-of-63 from the field (42.9 percent). ISU connected on eight 3-pointers in the game.

While not in double figures, De'Avion Washington came up big with his eight points as he hit a pair of corner trifectas in overtime to heldp secure the victory.

Tyreke Key came up with a big stop as he grabbed a steal as the clock ticked under the five minute mark and following a foul, he hit two free throws to whittle a three-point Crusader lead down to just 66-65. Barnes would pick up his fifth foul on a tough call going for a loose ball with 3:59 to go. Both free throws would miss, and Neese made it hurt by hitting a pair himself as ISU trailed just 68-67. 

Trailing by two points, Christian Williams drove the lane with 1:45 on the clock and laid it in to knot the game at 69. Key was fouled going to the basket with 33 seconds remaining and hit both freebies to answer two on the other end which leveled the score at 71. Valpo called timeout and gave the Sycamores a chance to set up their defense as well. ISU survived two good Valpo looks at the rim to send the game into overtime.

Key tied his career high of 26 points with a driving lay-up on the opening possession of overtime to stake the Sycamores to a 73-71 lead. After Valpo drew within a point, freshman De'Avion Washington drilled a corner three with the left corner and then for good measure hit another from the right corner to stake the Sycamores to a 79-72 lead with just over two minutes to go. With 2:10 remaining, Key set a new career-high with 28 points as he hit a pair to push ISU ahead 81-74. After a Smits putback, Key was fouled with 1:36 to go and hit 1-of-2 from the line for the 82-76 lead. Key had made all 11 of his free throws prior to that point.

The Sycamores opened the game with the first seven points, including the first five from Christian Williams as well as hustle put back by Bronson Kessinger -- who earned the start. Rickman and Kessinger would combine to score on consecutive possessions around the first media timeout to stretch the Sycamore lead out to 15-9. With 11:20 on the first half clock, the Sycamores looked to be struggling on offense, but Kessinger was wide open for a 3-point shot with 1 second on the clock and he buried it to stake Indiana State to an early 18-11 lead and give him seven points.

Jordan Barnes and Cooper Neese buried 3-pointers on consecutive trips as the clock ticked towards the seven minute mark to stake the Sycamores to a 27-21 lead. Barnes then hit a reverse lay-up before a Christian Williams steal and mid court and dunk with 5:40 remaining pushed the cushion out to 31-24. Barnes would make it a 7-0 run at the 4:51 mark with a step back 3-pointer from the top of the key which ran the Sycamore lead out to double digits at 34-24. 

Valparaiso scored nine in a row over the final two minutes before the bank was open late in the half for Kessinger who went in double figures scoring to give ISU a 39-36 halftime lead. Kessinger led the way with 10 points.

The Crusaders went on a 6-0 run to take their first lead of the game at 44-43 on a Derrik Smits lay-up with 17:13 on the clock. Kesssinger countered with a floater at the rim as the clock ticked towards the 16 minute mark to push the Sycamores back in front at 45-44. 

Valpo would lead 52-47 before Key came up with a steal in the paint and took it coast-to-coast for a fast break lay-up to get within three. Then Key grabbed another steal with just over 11 minutes remaining and fed Barnes for a conventional 3-point play which knotted the score again at 52. The Crusaders came back with five in a row to reestablish but Neese drove the baseline with just nine on the clock to get within 57-54. In answer to a pair of Valpo free throws, De'Avion Washington came up a big third chance bucket and then grabbed an even bigger defensive rebound after Barnes was whistled for his fourth foul. Then Key converted the conventional 3-point play with 8:23 remaining and the score was knotted again -- this time at 59.

Valpo was led in scoring by Derrik Smits who posted 23 points.

The Sycamores return home to face off against Southern Illinois on Saturday, February 16 at Noon (ET). Prior to the game we will honor the career of No. 22 Carl Nicks as he has his jersey retired on #StateMade Alumni Weekend.