Press "Enter" to skip to content

Women’s basketball splits final homestand, goes on the road to finish season

Bradley forward Tamya Sims plays defense against a player from Oklahoma University during a game against the Sooners last year. Photo by Anna Foley.
Bradley forward Tamya Sims plays defense against a player from Oklahoma University during a game against the Sooners last year. Photo by Anna Foley.

After turning it over in one game and forcing turnovers in the next, the Bradley women’s basketball team split this past weekend’s home series against the two ISU’s.

At Friday’s Play 4 Kay game, the Braves were unable to stop Indiana State forward Ashley Taia who dropped in 24 points, including a barrage of 3-pointers shooting 4-7 from beyond the arc.

Bradley struggled to get stops down the stretch, and were hurt by their 23 turnovers in the game.

“We have to execute in clutch moments,” head coach Michael Brooks said. “Indiana State hit some big shots in some big moments. We had a couple careless [turnovers] where, in transition, we tried to make a spectacular play instead of realizing we don’t have numbers and taking it out. If the first opportunity isn’t there, it’s about finding the next.”

The Braves shot well from the field, but they were unable to get off enough shots against the Sycamore defense. Junior Leti Lerma led the Braves with 16 points and seven rebounds, but she was the only Bradley player to finish in double figures.

Bradley was forced to foul down the stretch and came out on the tail end, losing 68-59.

But Sunday was a new day, as the Braves hosted Illinois State on Senior Day, celebrating their seniors Sameia Kendall and Kat Yelle by putting on a hard-nosed defensive clinic.

“Defense is our calling card this year; we’ve been very stout on defense,” Brooks said. “They attack the rim hard, but we were able to keep them on the perimeter and make them take tough shots. The only time they had success was when we fouled them.”

And foul them they did. The Redbirds were only able to stay in the game because they shot 20-29 from the free-throw line. Otherwise, they shot a dismal 8-52 from the floor and made no shots from the field in the third quarter.

The Redbirds began with a 5-0 run to start the fourth quarter, but two quick buckets by sophomore Anneke Schlueter sparked the Braves once more, and they held on for good, winning 52-38.

“We know we are a great defensive team, and we played great team basketball,” Schlueter said.

The combined total of 90 points from both teams was the lowest scoring game ever at Renaissance Coliseum, a record which has been broken three times already this year.

On top of the win, Kendall said it felt good being one of the two seniors who got to go out on top in their last regular season home game.

“Beating our rival is always a great feeling because you get to have those bragging rights, and it happening on my Senior Night was just the cherry on top,” Kendall said. “Seeing how we stuck together and fought through adversity showed that we can overcome anything.”

The team was excited about the win in the rivalry, but Brooks said they’re looking ahead to competing hard in the three games left on the conference schedule.

“We can’t let people outwork us, we’ve got to go take things on our own,” Brooks said. “In life, no one’s just going to give you a sandwich, because you had a great day today. You have to go earn your money so you can go buy your sandwich. That’s how life works.”

Bradley has won three out of their last six games and will head out to Iowa this weekend to face UNI on Friday in Cedar Falls and Drake on Sunday in Des Moines.

Copyright © 2023, The Scout, Bradley University. All rights reserved.
The Scout is published by members of the student body of Bradley University. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the University.