Growing MVC M.A.S.H. Unit

(St. Louis, MO) – Add Loyola’s Ben Richardson to the growing list prominent Missouri Valley Conference players that are missing in action. The senior guard will miss the next four-to-six weeks with a broken hand. The 6’3 Richardson was averaging 7.0 points and 4.0 assists per game.

He joins Southern Illinois starters Thik Bol and Marcus Bartley, Illinois State starter Daouda N’Diaye and key components Elijah Clarence and Matt Hein. Northern Iowa has had five players sitting out, including starting guard Wyatt Lohaus and important contributors Justin Dahl, Hunter Rhodes and highly regarded freshman Austin Phyfe.

SIU’s leading scorer Armon Fletcher is playing on an injured knee and sat out their most recent game, but is scheduled to play against Louisville.

Evansville guard Duane Gibson missed the Purple Aces (4-0) last game and according to DonBest.com he is questionable for Tuesday’s game with Fresno State. Gibson is nursing a knee injury. The contest with Fresno is part of the ‘Cancun Challenge’.

Despite the rash of injuries the Valley is 29-10 in non-conference action heading into five Tuesday games and six more on Wednesday. In addition to Evansville’s participation in the Cancun event, Missouri State is playing in the ‘Gulf Coast Showcase’, Valparaiso and Loyola are taking part in the ‘Savannah Invitational’ and Northern Iowa is playing in the ‘Battle 4 Atlantis’.

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