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52 | 56 |
After a dismal loss in Milwaukee on December 20, few could have predicted the next five games would be victories. But Bradley (10-5, 4-0) has risen to the top of Valley with a 56-52 victory over previously undefeated Illinois State (14-1, 3-1).
The first round of the "War on 74" lived up to the hype with another Bradley-ISU classic. The teams traded baskets for much of the first half, but then ISU went ice cold after the guard Lloyd Phillips made a layup with 7:50 to play, pulling the Redbirds within two at 18-16. Bradley held ISU to just five points the rest of the half, including a five minute stretch where the Redbirds didn't score.
Bradley took a 30-21 advantage into halftime, much of that caused by a great first session by center David Collins and forward Taylor Brown. Collins showed a renewed intensity on the court while Brown provided his usual energetic spark off of the bench.
Illinois State didn't fold at the break, coming out in the second half much more aggressively on both ends of the court. The Redbirds started playing zone against the Braves, which really muddled the Bradley offense for about five minutes. The home team was stuck in neutral on offense but kept the defensive pressure up.
Guard Darian Norris knocked down a critical 3-pointer for the Braves with 10:06 to play, stretching the lead to 45-33. ISU kept coming though, cutting the lead to six (45-39) at 8:17 and then to five (50-45) with 1:44.
Bradley refused to let the Redbirds get any closer, scoring off a great passing play from Wilson to forward/center Sam Singh to extend the lead to seven points. That led to the most memorable possession of the game, where both guard Chris Roberts as well as Singh had blocked ISU shot attempts. Wilson secured a rebound on a third Redbird miss, then promptly knocked down two free throws and make the score 54-47.
The Redbirds pushed to the very end, getting the game within four points at 54-50 with 8.8 seconds left. But Roberts made two free throws and Bradley kept its Valley record perfect with the 56-52 victory.
Next game:
The schedule doesn't get any easier for Bradley, who has preseason conference favorite Creighton (12-4) coming to Peoria on Saturday night. The Bluejays lost their second consecutive game Tuesday, falling 69-66 at home to Northern Iowa. Though Creighton may only be 2-2 so far in MVC games, nobody should expect this game to be easy. After knocking ISU off the pedestal, now Bradley will have the target on its back from the rest of the Valley.
