Trey Guidry led Illinois State with 16 points, however the Redbirds struggled offensively and fell to the Bradley Braves 65-46 at Carver Arena Wednesday night in Peoria.
Illinois State (7-16,3-12) committed 19 turnovers on the night and only managed to shoot 31 percent on the offensive end. Bradley (12-14,5-10) was able to knock in 42 percent of their shots. They were led by Marcellus Sommerville, who led all scorers with 22.
In the first half, cold shooting plagued the Redbirds throughout the first 20 minutes. Guidry was able to notch a team high 10 in the first frame, as he was the only ISU player in double-digits at the half. A 12-4 run by the Braves that ended on back-to-back threes by Sommerville and Marcello Robinson gave the Braves their biggest lead of the half of 12, 28-16, at the 3:28 mark. Bradley would match that lead on an old-fashioned three point play by James Gillingham with 3.6 seconds remaining in the half, as the Braves led 33-21 after one frame.
In the second half, the Redbirds were able to get within 10 on a Guidry three at 14:42. Bradley then answered right back with an 8-0 run and would eventually lead by as many as 20. Illinois State committed 12 of their 19 turnovers in the second frame.
In addition to Guidrys 16, Gregg Alexander and Marcus Arnold also scored in double figures, as they both had 11 for the Redbirds. Joining Sommerville in double-figures for Bradley were Gillingham with 19 and Robinson with 10.
Illinois State will next be in action on Saturday, February 21, when the host Loyola-Chicago in the ESPN Bracket Buster event. Tip-time at Redbird Arena is set for 4:05 p.m.
