CARBONDALE, Ill. ? Bradley senior forward Theron Wilson scored a season-high 22 points and added a career-best 16 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season and junior guard Dodie Dunson added 18 points off the bench, but the Braves (11-7, 5-2 MVC) dug too big of a hole to rally for their fourth straight Missouri Valley Conference road win, dropping a 68-62 decision Sunday night at Southern Illinois (8-10, 3-4 MVC).
Bradley entered the game 11-0 when holding the opposition to fewer than 70 points and the Braves limited the nation's fourth-ranked 3-point shooting team to a 3-for-11 effort. Bradley also outrebounded its hosts 44-30, but 20 turnovers and a 9-for-19 effort from the free throw line helped create a 21-point deficit with 13:56 remaining. Wilson and Dunson triggered Bradley's comeback attempt as the Braves closed to within 66-62, but they ran out of time as the Salukis hit enough free throws down the stretch to thwart the rally.
All five Southern Illinois starters scored in double-figures, led by Tony Boyle and Kevin Dillard, who shared team-high honors with 13 points. Carlton Fay added 11 points, while Bryan Mullins and Ryan Hare each chipped in with 10.
Darian Norris split two free throws for the second time in three possessions to give Bradley a 12-9 lead with 12:06 left in the first half, but the Salukis outscored the Braves 23-5 the rest of the half to take a 32-17 lead into halftime. In those final 12-minutes, 6-seconds the Braves were 2-for-8 from the field and 1-for-5 from the free throw line and also committed nine turnovers.
Southern Illinois eventually built the advantage to 21 points, 45-24, when Nick Evans split a pair of free throws with 14:32 left in the game. Wilson's offensive rebound and putback started a 10-1 run that got the Braves back into the game. Norris completed the first surge by scoring inside to pull the Braves within 46-34 with 9:24 left.
Bradley closed the gap to 11 points, 52-41, on Dunson's free throw line jumper with 4:10 left, but the rally stalled. Mullins appeared to ice the game when he beat the shot clock with a 3-pointer for a 57-43 Salukis lead with 1:39 left, but Wilson immediately answered with Bradley's first 3-pointer of the game with 1:22 remaining. After Hare stepped on the endline while running the baseline on the ensuing inbounds play, Wilson drained another trey to pull the Braves within single digits, 57-49, with 1:18 remaining.
With Bradley forced to foul, Southern Illinois made 11-of-15 free throws the rest of the way to hang on.
The loss drops Bradley into a tie for second in The Valley standings, one game behind Northern Iowa (12-6, 6-1 MVC). The Braves will visit the Panthers Wednesday night in a showdown for first place to complete their three-game road swing. Wednesday's 7:05 p.m. game will be televised throughout Central Illinois on Comcast (74) and Mediacom (78). Bradley will return home Saturday night by hosting Indiana State in a 6:05 p.m. game at Carver Arena. Saturday's game will be “Throwback Night.” The Braves will wear 1985-86 replica jerseys and everyone in attendance will receive a Bradley Basketball t-shirt with a similar design as the jerseys. In addition, upper bowl tickets are available for the 1985-86 season price of $4.
