Game Nineteen Recap: Bradley @ Northern Iowa

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(Sorry for the late post. Another commitment kept me from watching the game live, but I did check the game tonight on archive via BUBraves.tv.)

Some losses make you angry. Others are just disappointing.

Bradley's 66-61 loss to league-leading Northern Iowa (13-6, 7-1) certainly was the latter. The Braves (11-8, 5-3) led most of the game but simply couldn't hit enough shots down the stretch to secure another road win.

As much as people try to avoid mentioning them, the referees were a big story Wednesday night. Both teams were whistled way too closely throughout the game and had the benefit/hindrance of numerous lousy calls.

Unfortunately, the biggest call of the game went against Bradley with 22 seconds left in the game. The Braves trailed by only two points and were attempting to defend Northern Iowa's inbounds pass. Bradley's Dodie Dunson got called for an intentional foul before the ball was put into play, apparently holding up a Panther player from moving toward the baseline.

These sorts of decisions are really unfortunate, because both Northern Iowa and Bradley had battled so hard through the tightly contested game. There's no way a game should be decided on a call like that. UNI's Kwadzo Ahelegbe made both free throws, putting the Braves down by two possessions and effectively ending any hope for a comeback.

But, the focus can't entirely sit on the men in stripes. After a Dunson 3-pointer, Bradley held a 50-40 lead with 10 minutes to play in the game. How did the Braves get so far ahead on the road?

Hot shooting put Bradley ahead 10-0 and 15-5 in the first half of the game. The Braves hit 5-of-9 attempts from beyond the arc and shot 50 percent overall for the first 20 minutes. Team defense was also really good, forcing the Panthers into many bad turnovers and holding a good shooting team to just 7-of-21 shooting.

As the game wore on though, the shots started falling for UNI and not for the visitors. Bradley still held a 50-45 lead when forward/center Sam Singh, who had been having a pretty good game, missed an easy layup. UNI quickly countered with a layup by forward Adam Koch.

Things only got worse from that point forward as the Braves committed three turnovers during their next three possessions. Bradley looked as if it were just holding on for dear life.

Guard Sam Maniscalco had a very good game coming off the bench with 16 points. The sophomore had hit his first 22 free throw attempts in conference play, but missed with the score tied at 53 and about 3 minutes left.

A phantom foul call on guard Eddren McCain allowed Ahelegbe to make two free throws and give the Panthers the lead for good.

Individual observations:

To think Bradley had a chance to beat the UNI when leading scorer Theron Wilson got shutout is almost amazing. But, the Panthers did focus their attention on Wilson and really prevented him from getting many offensive looks at the basket. Wilson did contribute eight rebounds and a remarkable hustling play that resulted in a Bradley steal.

Dunson had another big game scoring, putting in 20 and making five 3-pointers. He hit a few important shots and helped Bradley have a chance.

It's a little worrisome how tentative McCain has been on the offensive side of the floor. He's shown the ability to knock down jump shots and slash to the hoop. Yet he passed on a couple wide open looks that he certainly could have made. He's still doing a good job of running the Bradley offense, but he (along with Maniscalco) needs to shoot more.

Forward Taylor Brown continues to show signs of why he'll be a starter by his sophomore or junior year at Bradley. His minutes have been limited because he plays Wilson's position, but his athleticism alone resulted in a great rebound basket. Given the opportunity, Brown continues to look like he'll be a great player at Bradley.

Next game:

The intense part of the schedule finally ends for the Braves. After a rigorous stretch (five of seven on the road with Creighton and Illinois State sandwiched in the middle at home), Bradley needs to get healthy on its next two opponents, Indiana State and Wichita State.

Both of these teams are clear bottom feeders in the league and Bradley has already beaten both on the road this season. To lose to either team at home would be inexcusable.

Indiana State at Bradley, Sat. 1/24, 6:05 p.m.

Game Eighteen Recap: Bradley @ Southern Illinois

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Revenge isn't so sweet when you're on the receiving end of it. Southern Illinois answered Bradley's drubbing in Peoria with a lopsided victory in Carbondale.

Even though the final score doesn't reflect it, Southern Illinois (8-10, 3-4) soundly beat the visiting Braves 68-62 at SIU Arena on Sunday night. Bradley (11-7, 5-2) trailed by as many as 21 points in the second half before chipping away in the final minutes.

Credit the Braves for the typical resiliency that every one of Les' teams have shown. With 1:39 to play, SIU led 57-43. Yet, when most teams would have begun warming the bus, Bradley kept fighting and got the game as close as four points with seven seconds left.

Unfortunately, that's where the positives ended.

Some of the most troublesome numbers included 20 turnovers, seven assists and 9-of-19 from the free throw line (47.4 percent). These stats don't lead to many road wins, especially at SIU arena.

Bradley led 12-9 going into a media timeout with 11:47 left in the first half. Sloppy offensive play and stifling SIU defense resulted in the Braves getting outscored 23-5 for the rest of the half. Guard Sam Maniscalco made a jumper (his only basket of the game) with 6:17 in the first half, which ended up being Bradley's last hoop from the floor until halftime.

Guard Chris Roberts had his third straight game where he failed to score more than five points. He only contributed four for the Braves, as well as committing six turnovers and securing only two rebounds.

Even high scorer Theron Wilson didn't have a spectacular game. He had to take 20 shots in order to get to his 22 point total. The senior forward's performance on the glass was impressive though, grabbing a career high 16 rebounds.

Bradley did get a pretty solid performance from guard Darian Norris. He continues to play his role of "disruptor" on defense, swiping more three steals. In his six conference games playing limited minutes, Norris now has eight steals.

Next game:

The team won't have long to dwell on this loss. The brutal stretch for Bradley finally ends with one more road game, this one at conference leader Northern Iowa. The Braves could move back into first place with a victory at a place where they've played fairly well overall. Bradley has won two of its last three games in Cedar Falls.

Bradley at Northern Iowa, 7:05 p.m. Wednesday (1/21)