IUPUI IUPUI 0-1

Bradley BRAD 1-0

IUPUI IUPUI

0-1

Final

Nov. 11, 2017

Bradley BRAD

1-0

Score By Periods
Team	1	2	F
IUPUI IUPUI	19	34	53
Bradley BRAD	28	40	68

Box Score

Missouri Valley Conference

Braves Win Opener over IUPUI, 68-53

Box Score (PDF)

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | 11/11/2017 5:29:00 PM

Peoria, Ill. – Sophomore Nate Kennell poured in a career-best 19 points to lead the Bradley men's basketball team to a 68-53 victory against IUPUI on Saturday in the season opener for both teams.

Kennell made 7-of-11 field goals in the winning effort with a 5-of-9 mark from beyond the arc, including his first three of the game during a 13-0 Bradley stretch that gave BU the lead for good.

Senior Donte Thomas also chipped in 15 points to go with eight rebounds and four assists, while sophomore guard Darrell Brown added 10 points and four assists. Junior guard Dwayne Lautier-Ogunleye collected a career-best 11 rebounds to lead the Braves on the glass in the winning effort.

It didn't take long for the Braves to find early momentum as Kennell ignited the early 13-0 run and Bradley never looked back. Trailing 5-4 in the early minutes, Brown and Thomas each made a basket before three-straight 3-pointers by Kennell put BU ahead, 17-5. The Bradley defense also played a key role during the stretch as the Jaguars went 5:34 without a point as BU forced five-straight misses and three turnovers.

#TheMovement pic.twitter.com/0vbFJcAzKB
— Bradley Basketball (@bradleyumbb) November 11, 2017

The early run helped the Braves to a 28-19 lead at the halftime break. Bradley shot 45.5 percent in the opening 20 minutes – including a 5-of-9 mark from 3-point range – while the Jaguars made just 25.0 percent of their chances en route to the nine-point intermission difference.

The Jaguars pulled to within five early in the second half but Thomas and Kennell continued to respond for BU. The senior forward nailed a jumper before setting up Kennell for a 3-pointer on the next possession as Bradley quickly reclaimed its double-digit lead. IUPUI would only get as close as seven points the remainder of the game as the Bradley defense would hold the Jaguars without a basket for 7:35 down the stretch and run away with the 15-point victory.

The Braves finished the game with a 44.6 field goal percentage, including a 12-of-21 mark from 3-point range (57.1 percent). Bradley also held IUPUI to just 28.3 percent shooting.

Bradley looks to continue its winning ways with a home contest against Delaware on Tuesday. Game time at Carver Arena is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Game Notes: The Bradley bench outscored the IUPUI bench by a 34-5 margin … The Braves recorded 20 assists on 25 made field goals … Dating back to last season, the Braves have registered at least 20 assists in three of its last four regular-season games (did not register 20 assists in any of the first 59 regular-season games under Coach Wardle) … Bradley's 12 3-pointers and 57.1 3-point percentage are the team's best since making 12-of-20 (60.0 percent) against Hofstra last season … Kennell's previous career high was 17 points against Loyola last season … The 15-point margin of victory is the team's highest against a Division I school in a season opener since a 76-53 win against Eastern Illinois to start to the 2012-13 campaign … Bradley has now won 3-of-5 all-time meetings versus the Jaguars.

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