CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- A pair of former Missouri Valley Conference rivals burned Bradley for 32 points and the Braves were unable to recover from a cold-shooting start in a 81-55 loss at Illinois Sunday evening at State Farm Center.

Former Illinois State forward Jon Ekey led the Illini with 19 points, while former Drake guard Rayvonte Rice added 13 for the home squad, who also got double-digit scoring from Tracy Abrams (12 points) and Nnanna Egwu (10). Bradley senior forward Tyshon Pickett scored a game-high 21 points and senior guard Walt Lemon, Jr. added 12.

The Braves opened the game making only four of their first 21 field goal attempts and after Ekey hit one of his five 3-pointers for a 22-10 Illinois lead with 5:57 left in the first half, the Braves never pulled back within single digits.

Bradley entered the game allowing just 4.0 3-point field goals per game on 17.2 percent shooting from behind the arc, but Ekey's 5-for-7 performance led the Illini's 10-for-25 (.400) shooting from 3-point range. Bradley also entered the game averaging 42.2 rebounds per game, outrebounding its first four opponents by 11.7 boards per game. Illinois won the rebound battle, 49-25, and the Illini snared 19 offensive rebounds.

After playing five games in the season's first 10 days, Bradley will slow the pace moving forward, playing just two games in the next 16 days. The Braves will visit Arizona State (3-0) Friday, before returning home to host Texas-Pan American Nov. 30 at Carver Arena.