(From Bradley University) - Bradley's program record eight-game road win streak came to an end with a 71-59 loss to Evansville Saturday afternoon at the Ford Center despite a career-high 24 points and 11 rebounds from senior Leah Kassing.
After a slow start to the game, the Braves (10-6 overall, 1-3 MVC) used a 19-2 second-half run to get back into the contest. Bradley scored a season-low 17 first-half points and trailed 36-17 at the break. Kassing had 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting and snagged six boards in the opening period, but the rest of the team combined for six points on 2-for-17 in the opening 20 minutes.
Evansville (4-11 overall, 1-3 MVC) extended the lead to 21 points early in the second half and held a 51-30 advantage nearing the midway point of the period when Bradley made its push.
Bradley had battled back to trail 53-49 with four minutes to play.
Samantha Heck split a pair of free throws on Evansville's next possession to end BU's run and followed a Bradley turnover with a layup to push the Purple Aces advantage to 56-49 with three minutes on the clock.
Evansville's lead stood at seven at the two-minute mark and Bradley got no closer as the Aces made 11-of-12 free throws in the final 1:52 of the contest to close out the 71-59 win. UE snapped a five-game losing skid with the victory and ended Bradley's five-game win streak in the series.
Kassing was the only Bradley player in double figures, scoring a career-best 24 points on 10-of-17 shooting. She also collected 11 rebounds for her team-best eighth double-double of the year and collected two assists, three blocks and a steal.
The Braves shot 26.1 percent from the field in the first half, but improved to 36.8 percent in the second half.
Heck led Evansville in scoring with 21 points, while Briyana Blair had 19 points, 20 rebounds, seven assists, three blocks and three steals in 38 minutes of action. Meagan Collins joined the duo in double figures with 10 points.
Bradley returns to action Thursday, hosting I-74 rival Illinois State in a 7 p.m. game at Renaissance Coliseum. Live coverage with Ed Hammond and Joe Stowell begins at 6:40 p.m. Thursday on 1290 WIRL.
The Braves Club will be sponsoring a game day luncheon Thursday in the Zobrist Room at Renaissance Coliseum with the doors opening at 11:15 a.m. Tickets are $20 and available through the Braves Club office at (309) 677-2667.
