PEORIA, Ill. -- Although Bradley entered the weekend in its standard position among the nation's men's basketball attendance leaders -- 46th nationally and third in the Missouri Valley Conference -- by averaging 9,130 fans through its first six home games, the Braves would like to see that average increase as they play their final non-conference home games of the season.
With the goal of trying to draw at least 10,000 fans for each of its next two home games, Bradley has announced a Holiday Special ticket promotion, which will allow fans to buy Priority III and Priority IV tickets at half-price, based on availability, for the Dec. 19 game versus Loyola-Chicago and the Dec. 23 contest versus Southern Miss. Regular Bradley men's basketball ticket prices at Carver Arena are $12 in the Priority III sections and $8 in Priority IV. Fans may purchase the discounted tickets ($6 and $4) at the Robertson Fieldhouse Box Office during regular business hours or by calling the Bradley Ticket Office at 309-677-2625.
In addition to the Holiday Special ticket promotion, current Harlem Globetrotter Lawrence Wright will be available for a pregame (6-7 p.m.) autograph session at Carver Arena Dec. 19. Wright was one of the top sixth men in the Missouri Valley Conference the last two years and averaged 10.1 points and 5.4 rebounds during his two-year Bradley career. Having already participated in a foreign tour with the Globetrotters, Wright is currently on a break from the team, but will report back to training camp Dec. 20. In addition, the Dec. 23 game versus Southern Miss will be Military Appreciation Day at Carver Arena. All active members of the United States military who present a valid ID card may receive up to four complimentary tickets for themselves and their immediate families for the game versus the Golden Eagles.
Coming off Bradley's 2006 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 run, the Braves have started the 2006-07 season with a 6-3 record, which included a 78-58 victory versus Big East Conference member DePaul in front of a soldout crowd of 11,080 Nov. 11 at Carver Arena. The Braves, who entered this weekend leading the nation in 3-point field goal percentage (.491), have won 12 consecutive home games and 22 straight non-conference titls at Carver Arena. Both streaks rank among the longest in the nation.
Loyola-Chicago (7-3) was the preseason favorite in the Horizon League and the Ramblers are led by conference player-of-the-year and NBA prospect Blake Schilb. Led by former Iowa State coach Larry Eustachy, Southern Miss (7-0) is one of the nation's last remaining unbeaten teams.
