Game Seventeen Recap: Bradley @ Indiana State

63	52

When Bradley plays strong defensively, the team is unbeatable — literally. The Braves are now 11-0 when holding opponents under 70 points.

Bradley's effort included 10 steals and held Indiana State (4-13, 2-4) to 34 percent shooting en route to a 63-52 victory in Terra Haute, Ind. The Braves (11-6, 5-1) continue to hold a share of first place in the Missouri Valley Conference with Northern Iowa, who also won tonight at Evansville.

The rugged pressure applied by the Braves helped cover up many offensive inefficiencies. Bradley made just 2-of-13 attempts from beyond the 3-point line (15.4 percent) as well as hitting just 13-of-24 free throws (54.2 percent). If either of these statistics are at a normal percentage, Bradley probably blows out the Sycamores.

The teams traded baskets for much of the first half until center David Collins scored three straight baskets, the last putting Bradley up 22-16 with 7:36 to play. The Braves would maintain that same advantage going into halftime at 28-22, though it could have been a much wider margin.

Bradley called a timeout with 40 seconds in the half to set up a play. But, the Braves made a bad turnover and allowed Sycamore forward Jay Tunnell to make a wide open 3-pointer as the final seconds were ticking away.

Once the second half rolled around, the game had a similar feel to the last game against Creighton. The Sycamores would constantly be trying to make a run and close the gap. But Bradley always seemed to have an answer.

Indiana State cut the lead to 32-30 with 15 minutes to play, but guard Chris Roberts answered by nailing an open jumper in the lane on the next possession. Fellow guard Sam Maniscalco followed that with a dazzling reverse layup to push the Braves lead back to six.

The Sycamores trimmed the Bradley advantage to 40-37 after a sparkling individual effort resulting in a slam dunk by forward Josh Crawford. Again, the Braves would answer.

Guard Dodie Dunson scored five of his game-high 15 points to help Bradley go up by eight at 45-37.

The Braves finally took control of the game with more defensive intensity. Leading only 51-48 with 6:39 to go, Bradley held the Sycamores without a field goal for almost the rest of the game.

Maniscalco hit 4-4 from the free throw line, keeping his percentage in conference play at 100 percent (19-for-19).

For all of the players who made contributions above, the two most important players on the floor were forward Theron Wilson and guard Eddren McCain. Wilson (10 points, 7 rebounds) displayed the leadership needed from a senior, finding seams along the baseline all night and getting critical points when Bradley really needed them.

McCain also scored some big baskets in his eight point effort, but shined more importantly as the Bradley point guard. The freshman had seven assists, zero turnovers and two steals. He's already more under control than a young Daniel Ruffin was, a player Bradley fans won't forget anytime soon from that position.

Overall, head coach Jim Les should be very pleased with this performance. Sure, the shooting was bad, but that isn't this team's strength anyway. Even Les acknowledges that at this point and it has a direct correlation upon how well this team is succeeding. The players are contributing with their strengths and not being forced into a "system" that doesn't suit them.

Next game:

No Valley road game is easy, but so far the Braves have taken care of business in all three. Arguably though, the wins are over the worst three teams in the conference. The other "play-in" team may be Southern Illinois, Bradley's next opponent.

Make no mistake about it though, the SIU arena is another house of horrors for the Braves. No matter how down the Salukis are this year, this will be the toughest Valley road test yet.

Luckily most of the current roster hasn't played in Carbondale, so the intimidation won't be as great. Sunday's game will be televised on ESPNU at 6:05 p.m.