PEORIA, Ill. -- Bradley junior point guard Daniel Ruffin (Peoria, Ill./Central H.S.) scored a game-high 23 points and added six assists and four steals, leading the Braves (2-0 exhibition) to an 87-59 men's college basketball exhibition victory versus NCAA Division II Northwest Missouri State (0-1 exhibition) in front of 8,093 fans Saturday afternoon at Carver Arena.
Ruffin led four Bradley players in double-figures: senior center Zach Andrews (Rancho Cordova, Calif./Cordova H.S.) added 15 points and eight rebounds, while senior guard Will Franklin (Houston, Texas/Hastings H.S.) and freshman reserve guard Andrew Warren (Indianapolis, Ind./Brebeuf Jesuit Prep) each chipped in with 13 points. Junior forward Matt Salley (Charlotte, N.C./North Mecklenburg H.S.) pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds. Northwest Missouri State forward Hunter Henry led the Bearcats with 14 points and Victor James added 10 points to complete the double-digit scoring.
In a matchup of two 2006 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 squads, the Division II guests put an early scare into the host Braves by running out to a 10-0 lead to start the game. The Bearcats twice extended their lead to 12 points before the Braves quickly turned the tide. After Henry put the visitors up 19-7 on a short jumper with 11:59 left in the first half, Bradley outscored the Bearcats 36-9 the rest of the half to take a 43-28 lead into intermission. Back-to-back Ruffin 3-pointers from the right corner ignited the Braves offense and two Warren free throws with 5:25 left in the half gave Bradley the lead for good, 26-25.
After making four baskets in the game's first 5:46, Northwest Missouri State managed only four more field goals the rest of the half and 16 baskets over the game's final 34:14. While Bradley limited the Bearcats to 35.1 percent (20-57) shooting from the field, the Braves also forced Northwest Missouri State into 26 turnovers.
Bradley, which was coming off Wednesday night's 90-77 victory versus NCAA Division II national champion Winona State, officially will open its 103rd men's basketball season Nov. 11 by hosting DePaul in a 7:05 p.m. contest at Carver Arena. The Braves and Blue Demons will complete the second of consecutive home-and-home series and Bradley has won two of the last three meetings, including a 75-60 win in last year's season-opener at Allstate Arena. Bradley also will be attempting to extend a 17-game non-conference home winning streak, the longest active non-conference home win streak in the Missouri Valley Conference and in Bradley's 24-year stay at Carver Arena.
Bradley is pushing to create a sellout for Saturday's season-opener. The 2005-06 team will be honored in a pregame ceremony, which will include Dave Snell's video tribute to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 run and the pregame unveiling of the Sweet 16 banner. The school has announced its first-ever “Red-Out” for the game and all fans are encouraged to wear red. In addition to commemorative Sweet 16 “rally” towels, everyone in attendance will receive a red Bradley Basketball t-shirt to enhance the “Red-Out” look of the arena. And finally, the popular magic duo “Quick Change” will perform during halftime.
Single-game tickets for Bradley home games at Carver Arena are $8, $12 and $18 based on location. Tickets may be purchased in advance at the Robertson Fieldhouse Box Office (309-677-2625) and the Carver Arena Box Office during regular business hours, or through any TicketMaster location.
