Peoria, IL (Sports Network) - Dyricus Simms-Edwards scored 21 points to lead
the Bradley Braves to a 76-70 victory over the Evansville Purple Aces in a
Missouri Valley Conference clash at Carver Arena.
Walt Lemon, Jr. and Tyshon Pickett each netted 18 points for Bradley (14-10,
6-6 MVC), which has won two of three. Pickett grabbed eight rebounds and
Lemon, Jr. handed out five assists for the home team.
For Evansville (13-11, 6-6), Colt Ryan poured in a game-high 27 points, his
11th game this season crossing the 20-point plateau. D.J. Balentine netted 13
points off the bench, and Ned Cox chipped in 10 points for the Aces, who have
lost back-to-back games.
Even though Bradley outshot Evansville from the field in the first half, 51.7
percent to 44.4 percent, the Aces took a 33-32 lead into halftime by shooting
6-of-9 from the foul line. The Braves were just 1-of-2 from the stripe in the
opening frame.
Bradley got hot after the break and led by 10 with just over eight minutes to
play, but Evansville responded with a 19-9 run to tie the game, 70-70, on a
Ryan 3-pointer with 1:33 left. Those would be the last points the Aces would
score however, as the Braves ended on a 6-0 spurt as they held on for the win.
The difference was made at the free-throw line. Bradley shot 20-of-26 from the
stripe, while Evansville was only 10-of-14.
GAME NOTES:
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