PEORIA, Ill. - Senior guards Andrew Warren (24 points) and Dodie Dunson (18) combined for 42 points, including all 10 Bradley points in the game's final 2:39, leading the Braves (6-5) to a 73-65 non-conference men's basketball victory versus Detroit (7-6) Wednesday night at Carver Arena.
Bradley will take a two-game winning streak into its Missouri Valley Conference opener Dec. 29 at Indiana State.
Bradley took a 35-26 halftime lead by complimenting an efficient offensive half with some stingy defense. The Braves shot 52.2 percent (12-23) from the floor in the first half, while limiting the Titans to a 32.3 percent (10-31) effort from the floor. The tide turned in the second half, however, as Detroit made 11-of-19 (.579) field goal attempts after the break and also sank 15-of-21 free throw attempts.
After Warren opened the second half by draining a 3-pointer with 18:57 left to give the Braves their largest lead of the game, Detroit steadily chipped away and finally pulled even, 59-59, when center Eli Holman scored inside with 5:02 remaining.
Bradley reserve center Anthony Thompson answered with a putback basket with 4:39 left, though, to give the Braves the lead for good, 61-59. Donavan Foster split two free throws on Detroit's next possession, then the Braves gained some separation by scoring the next seven points on a Will Egolf dunk off a feed from Dunson, a Dunson layup out of a timeout, two Warren free throws and one more free throw from Dunson with 36 seconds left for a 68-60 advantage.
Ray McCallum led Detroit with 15 points and nine assists, while Holman chipped in with 14 points and eight rebounds. Chris Blake added 11 points off the bench for the Titans. In addition to Warren and Dunson, Egolf scored 11 points for Bradley.
