After winning its first two games in the Missouri Valley Conference this season, Bradley fell just short of knocking off second place Missouri State Wednesday night, 77-69.
Behind six 3-pointers, the Bears’ Kyle Weems led the game with 27 points. Senior Dodie Dunson led the Braves with 20.
MVC-points leader senior Andrew Warren was kept in check and mustered only 12 points on 5 of 16 shooting.
The game began with a couple of runs on both sides. MSU got out to a quick 12-2 lead, but a 13-0 Bradley rebuttal gave the Braves an early edge. They rode that into the half and emerged with a 36-35 lead.
MSU had eight 3-pointers in the first half.
Just like the beginning of the game, the Bears raced out of the gates and got off to a 9-2 run to begin the second half.
Bradley inched its way back into the game until a Dunson layup gave the Braves the lead at 57-56 with a little more than six minutes remaining.
But a series of threes from Weems and Adam Leonard the Bears was enough to close out the game.
Missouri State finished eight for its last eight from the charity stripe to distance itself from Bradley.
Bradley will take the court next Saturday at home against the Evansville Purple Aces.
Coaches and players could not be reached for comment due to travel.
