(From Bradley University) - Bradley trailed by as many as 14 points, but shot 63 percent in the second half and limited Missouri State's high-powered offense to 28 points after the break as the Braves rallied for a 65-64 victory against the Bears Saturday at Lorene Ramsey Gym. The win moved Bradley (16-12 overall, 12-6 MVC) into a tie with Missouri State for third in the final Valley standings at 12-6.
The Braves will be the #4 seed in next week's State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Tournament, losing a tie breaker to Missouri State via the MVC power rating system. Bradley will face #5 seed Northern Iowa Friday at 2:30 p.m. at the Family Arena in St. Charles, Mo.
Missouri State (20-9 overall, 12-6 MVC) came into the game averaging a 77.4 points per game, but the Braves limited the Bears to their lowest point total in league action and fewest points since a 60-64 setback to Kansas State on Dec. 5.
Raisa Taylor scored 14 second-half points, en route to a game-high 21. She made 10-of-14 shots from the field and also added three assists and a steal. Olivia Allen added 10 points and two assists in the second half and finished with 12 points and three assists in 18 minutes off the bench. The contest marked the final home games for Bradley seniors Renee Frericks and Jenny Van Kirk. Frericks finished with four points and seven assists, while Van Kirk added eight rebounds, two assists, one block and three steals.
Bradley matched the school record for conference wins in a season, matching the 12-6 league record of the 1989-90 team. The Braves also matched the best conference finish in program history as they tied Missouri State for third in the league standings. Bradley also tied for third place during the 1991-92 season.
