PEORIA, Ill. --  Bradley senior guard Tony Bennett (Chicago, Ill./Westinghouse H.S.) today was named the first Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week of the 2005-06 season following his tremendous all-around effort in Saturday's 75-60 victory at DePaul.

Playing in his hometown for the first time since joining the Braves as a junior college transfer last season, Bennett scored a team-high 18 points for the Braves.  The 6-foot shooting guard also added a career-high seven assists to go along with his six rebounds and three steals.  Bennett shot 8-for-16 from the floor, grabbed two of his rebounds on the offensive end and committed only one turnover in his 35 minutes.

Bennett's effort helped Bradley (1-0) end an 11-game overall losing streak away from Carver Arena and snapped a 12-game road losing streak versus DePaul that dated back to a 72-63 win Dec. 9, 1950 at Chicago Stadium.  The Blue Demons (0-1) had been 74-8 (.902) all-time in season-openers and 76-6 (.927) all-time in home openers.  DePaul had won 17 consecutive home openers and 65 of its last 66 home debuts.

Bennett was a member of the Valley's 2005 All-Newcomer Team last season after finishing as Bradley's second-leading scorer with 11.8 points per game.  He also led the 2004-05 Braves with 51 steals to rank third in the Valley with 1.82 thefts per game.  Bennett, who was named the Valley Newcomer of the Week Jan. 10, 2005, becomes the first Bradley player to win the Player-of-the-Week award since Phillip Gilbert on Dec. 23, 2003.

Bennett and the Braves will return to action Saturday by hosting Chicago State (0-1) for a 2:05 p.m tip at Carver Arena.  Bradley has enjoyed similar success to DePaul in its home openers.  The Braves have won 12 straight home openers, improving to 86-14 (.860) all-time in their first home games.  Tickets for Saturday's game range from $8 to $18 based on location.  Bradley University students may purchase tickets for $1, while faculty and staff receive half-price discounts, by presenting their valid University IDs at the Robertson Fieldhouse Ticket Office (309-677-2625).

Head Coach Jim Les will preview Saturday's home opener during Jim Les Live 6-7 p.m. tonight on WMBD AM 1470.  Fans outside the WMBD broadcast area may listen to the weekly program by visiting www.wmbdradio.com.