The Bradley men’s basketball team continues to dominate at home after beating both the University of Evansville and Missouri State University at Carver Arena, extending their undefeated home record to 13 straight wins.
On Saturday, the Braves took on the Purple Aces in front of a season-high crowd of 6,285. Bradley set the tone of the game early, scoring three 3-pointers in the first 3:40, which helped secure a 14-2 advantage.
Even though the Purple Aces went on their own 11-3 run shortly after, it wasn’t enough to take the lead. Bradley concluded the half with an 11-point advantage, 36-25.
Throughout the remainder of the game, the Braves continued to hold onto their lead, with Evansville making runs to try and bring it closer. With 13 minutes remaining in the half, Evansville was able to close the gap to five points, 44-39, after going on a 10-0 run.
This trend would continue as Evansville would bring themselves within striking distance two more times, erasing any separation the Braves created, until the Braves locked up on defense with three minutes left to go.
The Braves were able to secure a 66-53 victory, improving their overall record to 14-7 and Missouri Valley Conference record to 4-4. Bradley junior guard Dwayne Lautier-Ogunleye notably scored 12 points alongside nine rebounds and four assists.
On Tuesday, the Braves took on the MVC preseason favorites, Missouri State, with their 12-game undefeated home record on the line.
Bradley took the early lead, 9-2, within the first five minutes of the half. The Braves then extended their lead to 18-8 with 11:15 to go, largely in part to a strong defensive effort, holding the Bears to just 25 percent shooting from the field and forcing three early turnovers.
MSU wasn’t done, however, as they continued to bring points back within the final minutes. Bradley only led 29-28 at the end of the half, after MSU senior Ronnie Rousseau III knocked in a 3-pointer at the buzzer.
Bradley head coach Brian Wardle said he wasn’t impressed with his team’s performance by the end of the first half and told them to keep the pressure.
“I didn’t like how we competed down the stretch during the last 10 minutes [of the first half],” Wardle said. “Our defense stopped working, and our offense got stagnant. I let my players know that at the break.”
The game continued in Bradley’s favor as they went on a 16-point run with 10:45 to go. The Bears wouldn’t get much closer as the game concluded in Bradley’s favor, 72-52.
Sophomore guard Darrell Brown dropped an impressive 20 points, eight assists and four rebounds to help lead the Braves to their 13th straight home win which goes all way back to last season.
Wardle said he was impressed with Brown’s individual performance but noted how the team’s defensive efforts were most key.
“I thought we shared the ball a lot more in the second half,” Wardle said. “We score by committee, which was shown through backdoors, lobs and finding the open man. But in the end, it starts with our transition from defense.”
Wardle said the coaching staff focused on defense this year.
“We stress defensive fundamentals, defensive shell and what we need to do to stay in games,” Wardle said. “I’m just happy we got the lead and kept the lead; we kept attacking.”
The Braves take on Indiana State University next at 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 28 at the Hulman Center.
