Final Score (W-L)           1   2   F
IN State (13-11, 7-5 MVC)  23  35  58
Bradley (4-21, 2-10 MVC)   33  30  63
Attendance: 6,028 | Officials: Rick Hartzell, K.B. Burdett Jr., James Durham

The Lead
The youngest team in college basketball withstood every charge by visiting Indiana State as Bradley converted a 10-point halftime lead into a 63-58 Missouri Valley Conference win Saturday night at Carver Arena. The Sycamores overcame the 33-23 halftime deficit by pulling even four times down the stretch, but Indiana State never reclaimed the lead. Indiana State's Khristian Smith forged the final tie, 55-55, with 1:24 remaining, but Donte Thomas made two free throws with 1:01 left and Ka'Darryl Bell picked Brenton Scott's pocket on the ensuring possession with 35 seconds remaining. Freshman guards Ronnie Suggs (4-4) and Dwayne Lautier-Ogunleye (2-2) combined to make 6-for-6 free throw attempts in the final 31 seconds to seal Bradley's first MVC home win of the season.

Series Update
Bradley improves to 51-32 all-time against Indiana State, including 33-8 at home. Bradley's 27th win versus Indiana State at Carver Arena is the most against any opponent since the venue opened in 1982.

Leaders
Bradley sophomore forward Donte Thomas scored a game-high 18 points for his best career-scoring effort in a Missouri Valley Conference game. Freshman Luuk van Bree added 15 points and seven rebounds for the Braves, while freshman guard Ronnie Suggs chipped in 10 points and six boards. Devonte Brown led Indiana State with 15 points and Khristian Smith completed the double-digit scoring with 10 points for the Sycamores. Matt Van Scyoc snared a game-high eight rebounds, before fouling out with 1:01 remainig.

Van Bree's Treys
Bradley freshman forward Luuk van Bree drained a corner 3-pointer with 14:33 left in the first half for his ninth consecutive game making at least one 3-pointer. Van Bree leads all Missouri Valley Conference freshmen in 3-point field goals and finished the game 2-for-6 to push his season total to 38 treys.

Youthful PT
Although freshman guard Joel Okafor was unavailable due to an ankle injury suffered Friday, the Braves still suited up nine true freshmen among 11 active players. The Braves have played the entire season with at least three freshmen on the floor together.

Up Next
Bradley will continue its 2-game home stand Wednesday night by hosting Loyola Chicago for a 7 p.m. tip at Carver Arena. Presented by Morton Buildings, the popular halftime magic act Quick Change will perform Wednesday night.