DES MOINES, IOWA -- Bradley (11-6, 2-3) shot a sizzling 62.5 percent from the floor in the second half, but relied on clutch free throw shooting down the stretch to rally for an 89-86 Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball victory past Drake (9-6, 0-4) Saturday night at the Drake Knapp Center.
A crowd of 6,929 fans witnessed the two teams combine for 19 three-point baskets with each squad having five players reach double-figure scoring in the highest scoring MVC game of the season.
The Braves, who snapped a two-game losing streak, as well as a four-game road slide and a three-game road skid versus Drake, finished the game hitting a season high 58.5 percent (31-53) from the floor. However, Bradley scored its last 12 points at the free throw line in the final 2 minutes 55 seconds to hand Drake its fourth straight loss.
There were 17 lead changes in the game, the last one after Bradley used an 8-2 run, fueled by consecutive three-point baskets from freshman reserve guard Andrew Warren, to turn a 66-64 deficit into a 72-68 advantage with 5:21 left.
Senior forward Ajay Calvin and freshman guard Josh Young paced a balanced Drake attack with 19 points apiece. Nick Grant added 18 points for the Bulldogs, while Al Stewart and Jonathan Cox each chipped in with 10. Bradley was paced by junior point guard Daniel Ruffin's 18 points and eight assists. Will Franklin and Matt Salley both scored 17 points for the Braves, Zach Andrews contributed 12 points and nine rebounds and Warren completed the double-digit scoring with 11.
Andrews came up with a handful of big plays down the stretch for the Braves, beginning with an offensive rebound of a Franklin missed 3-pointer with 1:31 left in the game. Although Andrews entered the game as a 48.3 percent free throw shooter, he stretched Bradley's lead to 80-75 by making both charity shots. On Bradley's next possession, Andrews secured another offensive rebound and made 1-of-2 free throws for an 81-75 lead with 53 seconds remaining. And after a held ball in the backcourt gave Drake the ball with 23 seconds left and trailing 84-78, Andrews stole the inbounds pass and got the ball to Ruffin, who was fouled and made both free throws to all but seal the win.
After beginning the conference season with five games in 11 days, Bradley will get a brief rest before returning to action Wednesday night by hosting Southern Illinois at Carver Arena. Bradley has made Priority IV tickets available for half-price ($4) for Wednesday's game against the Salukis, as well as the Feb. 20 game against Northern Iowa. The half-price ticket discount is only available at the Robertson Fieldhouse Ticket Office (309-677-2625).
