TERRE HAUTE, Ind. -- Bradley held a nine-point lead with just under six minutes to play, but Indiana State outscored the Braves 15-5 down the stretch and BU's potential game-winning shot was after the buzzer as the Sycamores edged BU 55-54 Friday at the Hulman Center.

A pair of free throws by Alyson Spinas-Valainis (Davenport, Iowa/Assumption) with 5:51 to play gave Bradley (6-6 overall, 0-1 MVC) a 49-40 advantage, before Indiana State (9-3 overall, 1-0 MVC) answered with seven consecutive points. 

After the Sycamores pulled even at 51-51, junior Kelsey Budd (Prairie du Sac, Wis./Sauk Prairie) hit her fourth three-pointer of the contest with 1:24 to play as the Braves went back in front 54-51. 

Indiana State's Anna Munn entered the game with the most three-pointers in the MVC and knocked down her fifth three-pointer to pull the Sycamores even against at 54-54 nearing the one-minute mark. 

Bradley came up empty on its next possession and another Munn three-pointer with 16 seconds left was off the mark.  Indiana State maintained possession, however, after Travecia Franklin tied up Shronda Butts going for the loose ball.  Taylor Whitley was fouled with 7.9 seconds left and split a pair of free throws to give the Sycamores a 55-54 lead. 

BU was unable to get a shot off before the clock expired as Indiana State picked up its 16th consecutive home win in the series and eighth consecutive home win overall with the 55-54 victory.

Budd led Bradley with 14 points and four assists helping the Braves score a season-high for an Indiana State home opponent.  The Sycamores entered the game limiting foes to 49.6 points scoring and had held foes to an average of 40 points per game in the six games this season at the Hulman Center.  Bradley scored 33 first-half points and shot 48 percent from the field in the opening period, but was just 8-for-28 (28.6 percent) in the second 20 minutes of action.

Munn and Racheal Mahan led three Indiana State players in double figures with 18 points each.  Whitley added 12 points and four steals to pace the Sycamores.

Bradley closes a three-game road swing Sunday with a 2 p.m. game at I-74 rival Illinois State.  Sunday's contest will be televised in Central Illinois on WTVP.  In addition the WIRL 1290 AM pre-game show will start at 1:40 p.m.