Bradley defeats S Illinois 71-69
Bradley Braves Past SIU Cougars in Thrilling Home Victory
The Carver Arena crowd witnessed an instant classic on Monday night as the Bradley Braves edged out the visiting Southern Illinois Salukis 71-69, spoiling the away team's conference aspirations.
In a game that saw both teams trading blows throughout, it was ultimately the home squad that emerged victorious. With the score tied at 39-39 at halftime, Bradley took control of the contest by extending their lead to nine points late in the second half. S Illinois attempted to mount a comeback but fell short, as the Braves' defense came up clutch down the stretch.
Jaquan Johnson led all scorers for Bradley with 20 points on 2-for-3 three-point shooting. AJ Smith was an all-around force on the glass, grabbing seven rebounds and contributing nine points off the bench. Alex Huibregtse chipped in five assists to go along with 13 points and six rebounds.
Damien Mayo Jr. led SIU with 18 points, including two makes from beyond the arc, while Rolyns Aligbe added 16 points and eight rebounds for the away team. Quel'Ron House contributed five assists, but it wasn't enough to overcome Bradley's strong defensive effort.
Bradley shot a blistering 41.0% from the field, with 44.0% coming from three-point range. The Braves also controlled the boards, outrebounding SIU by two on offense and nine on defense. On the other end of the floor, S Illinois struggled to find its rhythm, making just 16.0% of their three-point attempts.
The game will be remembered for its intensity, with both teams leaving everything they had on the court in front of a raucous Carver Arena crowd. Despite the loss, SIU's resilience and determination should serve as a testament to the program's growth under new leadership.
Bradley's victory marks a significant win in their conference schedule, as they take an important step towards securing a playoff spot. With this thrilling home victory, the Braves have cemented themselves as one of the top teams in the Missouri Valley Conference.
For now, Bradley will bask in the glory of their hard-fought 71-69 win over SIU, knowing that it was a true test of their mettle.