Illinois State ILS 6-13, 1-6 MVC

Bradley BRAD 14-6, 5-2 MVC

Illinois State ILS

6-13, 1-6 MVC

Final

Jan. 22, 2020

Bradley BRAD

14-6, 5-2 MVC

Score By Periods
Team	1	2	F
Illinois State ILS	36	27	63
Bradley BRAD	34	41	75

Box Score

Bradley Takes I-74 Rivalry at Carver, 75-63

Box Score (PDF)

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | 1/22/2020 10:35:00 PM

Peoria, Ill. – The Bradley men's basketball team took the first game of the I-74 rivalry during the 2019-20 campaign, winning its fourth-straight contest against Illinois State with a 75-63 victory at Carver Arena on Wednesday night. The Braves improve to 14-6 overall with a 5-2 mark in Missouri Valley Conference action, while the Redbirds drop to 6-13 and 1-6 versus league foes.

Despite featuring only seven players with BU's top two scorers out with an injury, the Braves put together a team effort for the victory. Senior Nate Kennell and freshman Ville Tahvanainen each led the Braves with 18 points against the Redbirds. Tahvanainen's total was the most for the rookie during his freshman season in addition to a personal-best seven rebounds.

Junior Danya Kingsby added 12 points – his third-straight double-digit contest – while sophomore Ja'Shon Henry matched Tahvanainen with a team-best seven rebounds.

Both teams started strong on the offensive end with Illinois State using the 3-pointer to grab the early advantage. The Redbirds led by eight points, 23-15, halfway through the opening period – making five of their first 10 from beyond the arc.

Bradley answered back with an 11-2 run to pull in front for the first time in the contest. The Braves made all four of their shots during the strech with Tahvanainen's first 3-pointer of the game capping the surge and giving Bradley the edge. The teams then traded the lead from there as neither school led by more than a possession with Illinois State scoring the last five points of the period for a 36-34 edge at the break.

The Braves made the necessary adjustments at the intermission, coming out with a strong defensive effort and never looking back. BU scored 12 of the first 15 points of the period to quickly grab a 46-39 advantage and would hold the lead the remainder of the game. Overall, Bradley held the Redbirds to just 26.7 percent shooting (4-of-15) in the opening 12-plus minutes of the second half to go with five turnovers as BU was able to build a double-digit lead, 57-46.

The Redbirds found a little rhythm on the offensive end for a three-minute stretch and were able to pull within five, 66-61, with 3:39 remaining. However, Tahvanainen scored the next four points to quickly end any thoughts of a comeback and the Braves forced the Redbirds to miss their final seven shots from the field en route to the 12-point victory.

Bradley shot 47.5 percent from the field in the winning effort, with a 40.0 percent clip from 3-point range (6-15). The Braves also attacked and defended the paint in the rivalry victory, outscoring the Redbirds, 42-12, inside.

Illinois State finished the game shooting 37.7 percent from the field with an 11-of-33 mark from 3-point range.

Bradley is back in action Saturday with a road contest at Indiana State. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. CT.

Game Notes: Tahvanainen's previous career highs were 13 points (versus Drake on Dec. 31) and four rebounds (three times) … The rookie is averaging 9.2 points in the last 11 games after posting 2.2 points in his first nine career contests … Bradley extended its winning streak to four games against Illinois State … The Braves have outscored the Redbirds, 142-70, in the paint during their four-straight wins versus their rival (average of 35.5 to 17.5) … Kingsby has scored in double figures in three-straight games after reaching double figures in two of his first 16 contests … Kennell moved into a tie for fourth place in the school's record book with 223 career made 3-pointers (tied with Philip Gilbert) … Bradley was without its top two scorers due to injury in Elijah Childs (missed his eight game in the last nine) and Darrell Brown (missed his first game of the season).

Print Friendly Version