CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Senior Katie Yohn (Elgin, Ill./St. Edward) celebrated her birthday in a big way, scoring 23 points on 10-for-14 shooting and came away with a career-high seven steals to help lead Bradley to a 77-61 victory at Southern Illinois Friday. 

The victory, coupled with losses by Evansville and Missouri State moved the Braves into a tie with the Purple Aces for sixth in the Missouri Valley Conference standings. 

Bradley (12-14 overall, 6-9 MVC) never trailed in the game, using a 13-3 run midway through the first half to take control and go in front 29-19 with seven minutes to play in the opening period.  Yohn helped highlight the spurt with seven of her season-high 23 points as the Braves went on to take a 43-30 lead into the break.

Southern Illinois (4-22 overall, 1-14 MVC) never cut the deficit under 10 points and Bradley stretched its lead to as many as many as 19  (53-34) with 15:21 to play in contest before cruising to its sixth consecutive road win in the series with the 77-61 victory.

Yohn scored 14 of her season-high 23 points in the first half and made 10-of-14 shots from the field in the contest.  She also had six rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a career-high seven steals, moving up three spots on BU's career steals list.  Yohn pushed her career scoring total to 1,298 points and now needs 16 points to pass Carrie Coffman for eighth in career scoring at Bradley.

Joining Yohn in double figures was sophomore Shronda Butts (Des Moines, Iowa/East), who scored 10 of her 16 points in the second half.  Fellow sophomore Michelle Young (Woodbury, Minn./Woodbury) reached double figures for the third consecutive game, adding 10 points. 

Cartaesha Macklin led Southern Illinois with 18 points and a game-high 10 assists.  She was one of two SIU players to turn in double-doubles, with Dyana Pierre tallying 12 points and a game-high 13 rebounds.  Arial Haynes added 10 points. 

Bradley plays its final road game of the 2012-13 regular-season Sunday, facing Evansville in a 1 p.m. game.  The 1290 AM WIRL pre-game show will air at 12:35 p.m.