NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Interstat) — The Belmont Bruins will look to continue their push for postseason positioning when they host the struggling Valparaiso Beacons in a women’s NCAA Division I basketball game Sunday at Curb Events Center. The game presents a stark contrast in fortunes. Belmont (14-9) enters having won three of its last four, including a 70-58 road victory at Northern Iowa last Saturday. Valparaiso (0-24) remains one of the nation’s only winless teams, seeking to avoid a 25th consecutive defeat to start the season. The Bruins have found success with balanced contributions. Guard Tuti Jones, a player to watch, led the team with 18 points in the win over Northern Iowa. She has been a consistent presence, averaging 9.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists over her last five contests. She is supported by backcourt mate Jailyn Banks, who dished out seven assists in that same game, and forward KK Brodie, who adds interior scoring and rebounding. Valparaiso’s hopes will rest heavily on the shoulders of standout guard Allia von Schlegell. Despite the team’s record, she has been a prolific scorer, averaging 18.7 points over her last six games. She erupted for a career-high 29 points in the Beacons’ most recent outing, a 82-73 home loss to Southern Illinois on Feb. 7. Forward Milana Nenadic, who recorded a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds in that game, provides a secondary option. However, Valparaiso’s defense has been a season-long issue. The Beacons have allowed 80 or more points in three of their last five games and are surrendering an average of 76.2 points per game during their current six-game skid. Belmont, which averages 72.1 points per game, will look to exploit those defensive vulnerabilities. This is the first of two scheduled meetings between the Missouri Valley Conference foes this season. They are slated to play again in Valparaiso, Indiana, on March 5. Tip-off is set for Sunday, February 15, 2026, in Nashville.