Jan. 31, 2010
Box Score
EAST PEORIA, Ill. -
Illinois State routed Bradley, 68-53, Sunday afternoon at Ramsey Gymnasium. With the win, Illinois State (15-5, 8-1 MVC) extended its winning streak to eight games and finished the first half of the Valley season in first place for the fourth-consecutive year.
Senior Ashleen Bracey just missed out on her sixth double-double in the first nine Valley games with 22 points, nine rebounds and three steals. She shot 8-for-11 from the field and made all four free throw attempts. Senior Nicolle Lewis added 19 points, six rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block.
Illinois State shot 46.4 percent (26-56) from the field and held Bradley to just 30.6 percent (19-62) to earn its ninth-consecutive win over the Braves. Bradley (10-9, 6-3 MVC) had its six-game winning streak snapped and fell back into a tie for third place in the Valley with Missouri State.
After Bradley pulled within a point, ISU scored nine-straight points to pull ahead by double-digits for the first time, 27-17. The Redbirds then scored another nine unanswered to close the half, completing an 18-4 run over the final seven minutes, to take a 36-21 lead at halftime.
Bracey finished the half with 17 points on 6-of-8 shooting from the field, including two three-pointers. Bradley scored just one field goal in the last nine minutes of the half.
ISU started the second half with a 10-4 run, connecting on five of its first 11 shots, to push the lead past 20 points, 46-35. With nine minutes remaining, Bracey grabbed an offensive board and was fouled on the putback, completing the three-point play to extend the Redbird lead to 55-30.
Bradley tried to mount a comeback with a 9-2 run, but a Lewis jumper and free throw kept the Redbirds ahead by 20.The Braves then scored eight points in less than a minute to pull within 14, 65-51, but the Redbirds were too far ahead for the spurt to pose a strong threat.
Illinois State opens the second half of the Valley season at home against Indiana State Saturday at 2:05 p.m.
