PEORIA, Ill. -- Bradley senior guard Jeremy Crouch (Pekin, Ill./Pekin H.S.) contributed game-highs of 13 points and six assists, leading the Braves (12-10, 5-5 MVC) to their fourth consecutive victory, a 63-44 Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball triumph versus visiting Indiana State (10-10, 5-5 MVC) Wednesday night at Carver Arena.
In addition to snaring its fifth win in its last six games, Bradley extended its home winning streak versus the Sycamores to 10 games, equalling runs against Drake (1994-2003) and Northern Iowa (1992-2001) as the longest home winning streak the Braves have enjoyed against a single opponent in the 26-year history of Carver Arena.
After coming off the bench in his first two games back from his Dec. 28 sports hernia surgery, Bradley senior point guard Daniel Ruffin (Peoria, Ill./Peoria H.S.) made his first start since Dec. 22 and chipped in with 12 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals in his 35 minutes of action. Bradley improved to 9-3 on the season with a healthy Ruffin in the lineup. The Braves also got 11 points and three steals from junior forward Theron Wilson (Topeka, Kan./Highland Park H.S.), as well as a game-high nine rebounds from senior center Matt Salley (Charlotte N.C./North Mecklenburg H.S.).
Indiana State sophomore guard Harry Marshall paced the Sycamores with 13 points before fouling out of the game with 3:15 remaining. The Sycamores also received 12 ponts from forward Jay Tunnell and 10 points and seven boards from sophomore guard Marico Stinson.
The Braves turned in one of their top defensive performances of the season, limiting Indiana State to just 33.3 percent (16-48) shooting from the floor, which was the lowest field goal percentage by a Bradley opponent since the Sycamores made only 18-of-56 (.321) in a 76-59 Bradley victory Jan. 13, 2007 in Terre Haute. Bradley also used 10 steals to force 17 Indiana State turnovers, then used those miscues for an 18-6 advantage in points off turnovers.
The final 19-point margin of victory was somewhat misleading, however, as Bradley needed a deep 3-pointer from sophomore guard Andrew Warren with six seconds remaining in the first half to forge its largest lead of the period, 24-19. The Braves also struggled from the field in the first 20 minutes, making just 9-of-26 (.346) field goal attempts.
Led by Ruffin's ability to break down the Indiana State defense off the dribble, the Braves found a much better offensive rhthym in the second half, though, making 17-of-30 (.567) field goal attempts in the final 20 minutes. After some back-and-forth play, Bradley earned its first double-digit lead when junior forward Rashad Austin converted a layup on a pick-and-roll play with Crouch for a 39-29 advantage with 13:51 left.
After Indiana State whittled a 14-point deficit down two eight points on two occassions, the second on a Gabe Moore layup with 6:45 remaining, Bradley finally broke the game open with a game-closing 13-2 run. Ruffin started the deciding run with an old-fashioned 3-point play with 6:38 left and Austin scored on two more plays at the rim to complete his best game as a Brave with eight points and six rebounds. Neither team scored in the game's final 2-minutes, 33-seconds.
The Braves will shoot for their fifth consecutive win Saturday when they visit Evansville for a 7:05 p.m. tip at Roberts Stadium. Peoria cable provider Comcast (Peoria channel 44) will televise Saturday's game with Frank Bussone and Chuck Buescher calling the action. Following Saturday's game, the Braves will return home Feb. 6 to host Missouri State in another 7:05 p.m. tip at Carver Arena. The popular magic act Quick Change will perform during halftime of next Wednesday's game versus the Bears and a limited number of tickets still remain for purchase ($8-18) in person at the Robertson Fieldhouse Box Office, the Carver Arena Box Office or online at www.BradleyBraves.com.
The game against the Bears will be preceded by a Braves Club Gameday Luncheon, which will feature the game's two head coaches, Bradley's Jim Les and Missouri State's Barry Hinson. The luncheon will be held at the new Embassy Suites in East Peoria. For ticket information, contact the Braves Club Office at 309-677-2667.
