PEORIA, Ill. ? Senior Ashley Chelleen had her highest point total in over four years, tying a career-high with 21, to go along with a game-high 11 rebounds to help lead the Bradley women's basketball team to a 78-75 victory against visiting Missouri State Thursday night at Robertson Memorial Field House. The Braves victory gives BU back-to-back wins for the first time this season and completes Bradley's first regular-season series sweep of the Bears for the team since the 1988-89 season.

Chelleen had 14 points, seven rebounds and two blocked shots in the first half helping the Braves to a 41-25 lead at the break. Bradley made its first 15 free throw attempts and finished the first half 15-of-16 from the line. Missouri State pulled to within three points on a jumper by Tiff Terwelp, before a 6-0 Braves spurt capped by an Erika Nelson three-pointer with 16:13 remaining gave Bradley its biggest lead of the night at 51-32.

Bradley (10-15 overall, 6-8 MVC) held a 17-point lead at 68-51 with 7:41 to play before junior guard Tahnee Balerio helped spark a furious comeback attempt by Missouri State. With Missouri State trailing 68-53 after a pair of MSU free throws, Belario would go on a tear hitting six of her next seven shots from the field and scored 18 points during a span of 5:21 to pull the Bears to within one point at 76-75 with 41 seconds to play.

The Braves led 68-51 after an Ashley Chelleen jumper with 7:47 to play, but would go 0-for-4 with five turnovers over the next 4:13 of action to allow the Bears to go on a 12-0 run that included six points from Balerio, as MSU cut the deficit to 68-63 with three and a half minutes remaining.

An Erika Nelson three-pointer from the right corner with just under three minutes to play was answered by a Balerio three to keep it a five-point contest at 71-66. Balerio knocked down another three-pointer, following a pair of Amy Peters' free throws to make it a four-point game (73-69) with 1:56 on the clock.

Peters hit a three-pointer on Bradley's next possession and Balerio split a pair of free throws, but a Bradley turnover and Balerio layup with 1:03 remaining cut the Braves lead back to four points (76-72). A Missouri State steal and three-pointer by Balerio with 41 seconds made it a one-point game in favor of Bradley.

The Braves missed a shot with the shot clock winding down, but pulled down the offensive board and forced Missouri State to foul. Junior Rachel Merriman made a pair of free throws with 12.1 seconds left, once again putting Bradley ahead by three points (78-75). Balerio's three-pointer with less than five seconds was off the mark, allowing Bradley to close the door on its first regular-season series sweep of the Bears since the 1988-89 season.

Chelleen tied a career-high with 21 points, matching her previous career best point total of 21 set against Illinois State on Jan. 11, 2003. She also added a game-high 11 rebounds and hit 11-of-12 free throw attempts to go along with her two blocked shots and two steals to lead four players in double figures. Nelson hit 4-of-6 three-pointers and finished with 19 points, while Peters (15 points) and senior guard Jen Brown (13 points) were both in double figures.

Missouri State (6-16 overall, 2-11 MVC) had just one player score in double figures as Balerio had a game-high 35 points, which included 26 in the second half. Her 35 points are the most points scored by an individual in the Field House since former Missouri State All-American Jackie Stiles had 43 against the Braves on Feb. 25, 2000.

Bradley returns to action Saturday when the Braves play host to Wichita State at 7:05 p.m. at Robertson Memorial Field House. Saturday's game against the Shockers will be the fourth annual Hoops for the Cure event. For more information contact Bradley Athletics at (309) 677-3617.