NORMAL, Ill. -- Sophomore Erika Nelson had 12 second-half points and senior Genny Mueller added 10 points in the second half to help Bradley rally from an 11-point deficit, but Illinois State's Jaci McCormack hit a jumper in the lane with 1.3 seconds left to give the Redbirds a 69-67 victory over the Braves in Missouri Valley Conference women's basketball action at Redbird Arena Sunday.

The Braves (13-10 overall, 6-8 MVC) trailed 31-25 at halftime as both teams shot less than 33 percent in the field. Nelson scored five of her 10 second-half points in the opening minutes to help Bradley knot the score at 34-34 with 16:21 to play. Illinois State countered with an 11-0 run of its own to take a 45-34 lead with just over 13 minutes remaining.

The Redbirds (9-15 overall, 6-9 MVC) lead stood at 48-38 after a three-pointer by Katie Donovan, when Bradley outscored Illinois State 29-16 over the next 9:30 of play to take a three-point lead. Sophomore Amy Peters converted a three-point play and Nelson hit a three-pointer to help start the rally.

Illinois State led 62-56 with 6:30 to play, when senior Dena Williams came up with steals on each of the next three Redbird possessions. Mueller and sophomore Jen Brown both split a pair of free throw attempts to cut the lead to 62-58 and Williams made a pair of free throws to make it a two-point game with 5:11 to play.

After an Illinois State missed three-pointer, Genny Mueller nailed a three-pointer from the right corner to give Bradley its first lead since the opening minutes of the game at 63-62 with 4:42 remaining. The Redbirds got an offensive rebound and Amber Shelton made a jumper to put Illinois State on top 64-63.

Mueller made a pair of free throw attempts and Williams came up with her fifth steal of the half to give Bradley the ball with 2:34 on the clock. Nelson hit a jumper in the lane to give the Braves a three-point lead with 2:24 to play, but Illinois State would score the final five points of the game to pull out the 69-67 win.

Michelle Harakas pulled down an offensive board for Illinois State and was fouled. Harakas split the free throws and Bradley missed a layup on the other end. McCormack hit a bank shot with 1:38 to play to tie the score at 67-67. Nelson had a layup attempt blocked on the Braves possession and Illinois State rebounded the ball with 1:10 to go.

Illinois State once again crashed the offensive boards, as McCormack missed two shots in the lane, before hitting the game-winner with 1.3 seconds remaining to give the Redbirds the 69-67 victory.

Mueller tied for game high honors with 21 points on 6-of-9 shooting, as she connected on 4-of-6 three-point attempts. Nelson added 12 points and two assists, while sophomore Amy Peters had 10 points off the bench. Sophomore Jen Brown chipped in eight points and seven assists.

Williams had nine points, 13 rebounds, three blocked shots and six steals. Williams tied Andrea McAllister for 13th place on Bradley's career scoring list and broke her own school record for blocked shots in a season.

Katie Donovan was one of four Illinois State players in double figures, tying Mueller for game high honors with 21 points. McCormack added 12 points, seven assists and six steals, while Holly Hallstrom (10 points, 12 rebounds) and Harakas (10 points) were also in double figures.

Bradley returns to action Thursday when the Braves play host to Drake at 7:05 p.m. at Robertson Memorial Field House.